Santa Fe, NM — Today, the Hearing Subcommittee of the Interim Legislative Ethics Committee published a written order declining to pursue any disciplinary action against State Senator Mimi Stewart (D-Albuquerque), the President Pro Tempore of the New Mexico State Senate. On Friday, the subcommittee received evidence supporting allegations that Senator Stewart had violated the legislature's anti-harassment policy by berating a Legislative Council Service employee.
However, by a 4-3 vote*, the subcommittee decided to issue only a written statement rather than pursue any disciplinary action. Despite evidence of both written and verbal abuse from Senator Stewart towards the employee (causing the employee great distress), the subcommittee's majority found there had been no violation of the legislature's anti-harassment policy.
*Each of the subcommittee's Republican members: Senators Bill Sharer, Nick Paul, and Jim Townsend opposed this decision.
Following the release of the committee's decision, Senate Republican Leader Bill Sharer, (R-Farmington) issued the following reaction:
"Democrats on the Senate Ethics Committee have made it clear: abusive behavior by Democratic Senators toward staff is perfectly acceptable under their 'so-called' anti-harassment rules." Senator Sharer continued, "Perhaps New Mexicans won't be surprised that the same Democrat lawmakers who fail to hold criminals accountable also refused to hold Senator Stewart responsible for her verbal abuse of a legislative staff member. Furthermore, their decision disregarded the recommendation of the special counsel, an experienced labor attorney who investigated the matter thoroughly and recommended that the committee find that Senator Stewart violated the policy." Senator Sharer concluded, "The precedent has now been set– Democrat Senators are free to abuse staff. Similar to how they govern, the Democrats sadly appear to care more about protecting themselves and their interests rather than doing what's right for the everyday New Mexican."
