State Senator Dan Schoen from Saint Paul Park is under continued pressure from fellow Democrats — including Governor Mark Dayton — to resign amid allegations of sex harassment. Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk says there would probably be a full-blown Ethics Committee investigation, and when lawmakers reconvene in February someone could well move to expel Schoen from the Senate. Bakk says, “I am hopeful to not put everybody through that process, and I’m hoping Senator Schoen will just take my recommendation that he step down.” Schoen denies he made “inappropriate contact with anyone.”
Meanwhile in the Minnesota House, Democrats accuse Republican Speaker Kurt Daudt of not responding to allegations of sex harassment against a lawmaker during the last legislative session. Daudt reiterated Thursday he has not received a specific complaint of sexual harassment since he’s been House speaker.
Here’s Bill Werner’s interview with Sen. Bakk from Thursday night: