Fargo Forum: “In an unprecedented move, the North Dakota House of Representatives has expelled embattled Rep. Luke Simons over recently surfaced sexual harassment allegations. The Republican-dominated lower chamber voted 69-25 on Thursday, March 4, to remove Simons from office after a heated three-hour debate. The expulsion resolution required a two-thirds majority to pass. Simons is the first lawmaker to be expelled from the Legislature since North Dakota became a state, according to legislative officials. He declined to comment after the vote, referring questions to newly hired attorney, Lynn Boughey. The Mandan lawyer said he needed to speak with Simons before deciding how to proceed, but he noted that challenging his client’s expulsion in the state Supreme Court remained on the table.”

“The local GOP district committee in Dickinson will now be tasked with appointing Simons’ successor. GOP District 36 Chairman John Enderle said following Simons’ ouster he is stunned by the “level of cowardice among House members.” Enderle said he hopes and prays the expulsion will be overturned in the courts, but he expects to appoint Simons’ replacement soon. The chairman added that the district may hold another election after the legislative session since nearly four years are left on Simons’ term. A series of sexual harassment accusations against Simons surfaced last week, with multiple female colleagues and staffers saying the Dickinson Republican repeatedly made inappropriate comments and exhibited “creepy” behavior toward them over the last three years. Simons denies all wrongdoing and has said his accusers are politically motivated to bring him down because of his conservative views.”