Congressman Rick Nolan’s political career is in deep trouble. Cook County DFL leaders, as well as a slate of other DFL groups, called on Nolan to resign as Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson’s running mate. Swanson is seeking to become the state’s next governor and Nolan is seeking the lieutenant governor position.
On Friday, July 20, the Cook County DFL Executive Committee released the following statement:
“Considering the allegations of sexual harassment and abuse by one of Congressman Rick Nolan’s former staffers and the rehiring of that staffer, the Cook County DFL calls on Nolan to resign his congressional seat and drop his bid for lieutenant governor on the Swanson-Nolan ticket.
“Our hearts hurt at hearing about the suffering the women staffers experienced. While some of the survivors remain in politics, others left.
“We may never know how many bright, talented people leave – quite possibly for good – because of treatment like this. Not only are the survivors deeply affected, but our communities have been robbed of their future contributions and the opportunity to foster these bright minds and promote their careers in public service.
“The lack of judgment shown by Nolan by first letting the sexual predator resign from his congressional staff and rehiring him for his campaign is reprehensible. For this reason, we call on Congressman Nolan to resign.
“We condemn sexual harassment in all forms and find it rich that Republican candidate Pete Stauber’s campaign and the National Republican Congressional Committee would issue statements condemning the acceptance of sexual harassment by the Nolan team yet refuse to renounce and hold accountable President Donald Trump’s sexual harassment.
“During the 2016 campaign, America was shocked when we heard Trump brag on tape— using graphic sexual terms—how he personally had sexually harassed women. At least 16 women have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Trump. We call on both the NRCC and Stauber to renounce Trump’s sexual harassment and join America in calling for Trump to resign.”
About the Cook County DFL:
The Cook County DFL supports and works to enact the ideals and principles of the Democratic Party and strives to sustain the foundations in the party’s grassroots history.
We believe that every American and Minnesotan, regardless of their background or other immutable traits, has a right to stable employment with fair wages, to a proper education, to raise and provide for a family, to accessible and affordable health care, to live in safe communities, to have clean water, experience a sustainable environment and to retire with dignity and security.
In the course of our party’s history, much has been accomplished and we at the Cook County DFL join with the DFL party to continue working for a better Minnesota and nation into tomorrow and beyond.
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