Don Shooter

Overview

Arizona Republican State Representative Don Shooter was expelled from the Arizona House on February 1, 2018, by a 56–3 vote following an investigation that substantiated sexual-harassment complaints from multiple women. He became the first U.S. state lawmaker expelled during the #MeToo era.

Description

At least nine women publicly accused Shooter of sexual harassment, including fellow Representative Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who said Shooter asked her about her chest in her office and later invited himself to her hotel room with a six-pack of beer. Representatives Wenona Benally and Athena Salman also lodged public complaints. An independent investigation by outside counsel found Shooter had engaged in ‘repeated pervasive conduct’ that created a hostile work environment for colleagues and lobbyists. Shooter had chaired the powerful House Appropriations Committee; he was suspended from that role in November 2017 and expelled three months later. In April 2018, he filed a $1.3 million notice-of-claim against the state alleging his expulsion was procedurally flawed.