(HELENA)— A bipartisan supermajority of Montana state senators sent a letter last week to Box Elder Democrat Senator. Jonathan Windy requesting that he resign from his position in the Senate following multiple sexual harassment and abuse allegations dating back decades.
The letter, signed by 39 Republican and Democratic state senators, follows Windy Boy’s removal from committees earlier this month and repeated urging from Senate President Matt Regier, Republican from -Kalispell, and Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, Democrat from Bozeman, to resign.
The letter notes that while Windy Boy is entitled to due process, “the Montana Senate and the Legislature as a whole have a duty to protect the ability of every legislator, staff person, and member of the public to safely do their jobs and participate in the legislative process in a dignified manner.”
The letter goes on to state that “Choosing to resign is an opportunity to uphold the high standard that the public expects of its lawmakers and to show your dedication to the dignity of the Montana Senate. We also believe it would be the best decision for you personally, as this issue is not going to go away and will undoubtedly continue to escalate the longer you choose to remain in office.”
Senate leadership collected signatures from a supermajority of the chamber despite five senators, in addition to Windy Boy, being excluded from signing the letter. The four members of the Senate Ethics Committee were recused, and one senator is currently suspended from office by order of a district judge.
