Kansas House Democrats have filed a complaint on Tuesday requesting censure procedures against newly elected State Rep. Aaron Coleman, 37th District.
Rep. Coleman, representing a district that includes the Turner area of Kansas City, Kansas, took the oath of office on Monday, becoming the youngest state legislator in Kansas history at age 20.
He had heard of the possibility of this action and told the Wyandotte Daily on Monday night that he was changing parties from Democrat to independent (unaffiliated). A group of seven freshmen women Democratic legislators had called for his resignation in December. Coleman said his party change took effect on Monday.
The complaint was filed by Kansas House Democrats and by seven Democratic women legislators in the House. According to the news release, the censure procedures that could be considered include expulsion from the Kansas House of Representatives.
A bipartisan committee can be appointed to investigate the complaint, according to the news release. After the investigation, the committee can make a recommendation, and then the House could vote on the action that can be taken.
“I believe that everyone should be given a second chance, sometimes even a third chance, but Representative Coleman continues to show time and time again that he is unfit to serve in office,” said Rep. Tom Sawyer, D-Wichita, House minority leader, in the news release. “We continue to condemn his actions and believe there is sufficient evidence for the Legislature to begin an investigation into Mr. Coleman’s actions. He is a danger to women. His removal is necessary to ensure the safety and well-being of legislators and Capitol staff.”
Rep. Coleman, in his statement Monday night, said that “rank and file Democrats and Republicans – including some elected members of the Kansas legislature – have made it clear to me that they do not support the Democratic leadership’s attempt to shut me out of the State House and deny the people of House District 37 proper representation.” He said he had not been given an office and was not assigned to any committees, like other newly elected representatives.
The House Democrats news release is on the House Democrats’ Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/kshousedems/photos/a.189641768645/10159604900768646/.
Rep. Coleman’s statement is at https://www.facebook.com/Aaron.Coleman4Kansas.
To see an earlier story, visit https://wyandotteonline.com/rep-coleman-leaves-democratic-party/.