Steve Lebsock

Steve Lebsock is an American politician who represented District 34 in the Colorado House of Representatives from 2013 to 2018. Prior to joining the State House, Lebsock served on the Thornton City Council from November 2003 to November 2011.

Steve Lebsock
Lebsock in 2017.
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
from the 34th district
In office
January 9, 2013 – March 2, 2018
Preceded byJohn Soper
Succeeded byAlexander Winkler
Personal details
BornSterling, Colorado, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic (2003-2018)
Republican (2018-present)
Children1
ResidenceThornton, Colorado
Alma materMetropolitan State University of Denver

A longtime member of the Democratic Party, Lebsock switched his affiliation to the Republican Party immediately prior to his March 2, 2018 expulsion from the Colorado House of Representatives. Lebsock was expelled following allegations of sexual harassment. He was the first member of the Colorado House of Representatives to be expelled in 103 years.[1]

Controversy
See also: Me Too movement

In November 2017, Lebsock was accused of sexual harassment by a fellow state legislator, Faith Winter. Speaker of the State House Crisanta Duran called on Lebsock to resign.[2] Lebsock issued an apology[3] after stating that he could not remember the night in question because he had been drinking heavily.[4] Four other women also accused him of sexual harassment.[5] Lebsock delivered a 28-page manifesto to his fellow lawmakers defending himself against the accusations; the document remained unpublished due to the sexually explicit allegations it contained, and Lebsock's accusers characterized the document as an effort to retaliate against them.[6]

Prominent Colorado politicians from both parties called for Lebsock's resignation or expulsion from the legislature, including Republican Senate President Kevin Grantham and Democrats such as Governor John Hickenlooper, Speaker Duran, Lieutenant Governor Donna Lynne and U.S. Representative Jared Polis. Despite the bipartisan demands, Lebsock refused to resign. He was expelled on a 52-9 vote on March 2, 2018. All 36 Democrats voted to expel Lebsock, while 16 Republicans voted for expulsion and nine other Republicans voted against expulsion. Lebsock abstained from the vote, but changed his party affiliation to Republican just before the vote was taken.[7]

Colorado law provides that a vacancy may be filled by a "member of the same political party." Lebsock's change of party affiliation allowed the Republican Party to fill his seat for the remainder of the legislative session.[8] In mid-March 2018, the Republican Party's House District 34 Vacancy Committee selected Alexander "Skinny" Winkler to complete Lebsock's term. Winkler was sworn in on March 29, 2018.[9]

State Treasurer run

On March 25, 2017, Lebsock announced his candidacy for Colorado State Treasurer as a Democrat.[10] However, the Durango Herald reported that Lebsock's recent change in party affiliation may have disqualified him from running for Treasurer in 2018.[11][12]

See also

References
    1. The journalist who first reported on alleged sexual harassment within Colorado's capitol, 9News.com, Chris Hansen, March 5, 2018. Retrieved March 31, 2018.
    2. Paul, Jesse. "State Rep. Steve Lebsock releases statement saying "I have done nothing that can be described as criminal"". Denver Post.
    3. State Rep. Steve Lebsock issues fresh apology to three women who accused him of sexual harassment,The Denver Post, John Frank & Danika Worthington, November 11, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
    4. Why a Colorado lawmaker went public with sexual harassment allegations against a fellow lawmaker, The Denver Post, John Frank, November 10, 2017. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
    5. Colorado Rep. Steve Lebsock is expelled following harassment complaints from five women, The Denver Post, Brian Eason & Jesse Paul, March 2, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
    6. Women Call Lebsock’s 28 Page Letter Retaliation, Aspen Public Radio KAJX, Bente Birkeland, January 15, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
    7. Colorado Rep. Steve Lebsock is expelled following harassment complaints from five women, The Denver Post, Brian Eason & Jesse Paul, March 2, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
    8. "Expelled Rep. Lebsock changed party prior to vote, giving State House seat to GOP". FOX31. Retrieved 7 March 2018.
    9. Goodland, Marianne (2018-03-19). ""Skinny" Winkler is now Rep. Winkler". Colorado Politics. Retrieved 2018-03-19.
    10. Adams county Democrat announces he's running for state treasurer, Colorado Politics, March 27, 2018. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
    11. Former Rep. Steve Lebsock’s decision to join GOP likely disqualifies him from treasurer’s race, Durango Herald, Marianne Goodland, March 4, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
    12. Colorado Revised Statutes Title 1 Elections § 1-4-601 Designation of candidates for primary election, FindLaw. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
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