North Dakota House expels lawmaker accused of misconduct

BISMARCK, N.D. - The North Dakota House on Thursday voted to expel a lawmaker accused of threatening and sexually harassing women at the Capitol, the first time in state history a lawmaker has been expelled.

Members voted 69-25 to expel Rep. Luke Simons, a Republican from Dickinson, for a pattern of behavior they said stretched back to soon after he took office in 2017. The expulsion came with strong support from Simons' own party, which holds a supermajority in the chamber.

Majority Leader Chet Pollert, who co-sponsored the resolution to expel, said Simons had been given "multiple chances to avoid being in this situation."

https://www.startribune.com/north-dakota-house-expels-lawmaker-accused-of-misconduct/600030338/