Rep. Don Shooter Removed By Expulsion Vote In House

PHOENIX, AZ – Rep. Don Shooter (R-Yuma) has been expelled from the state House of Representatives. A report released earlier this week found there is "credible evidence" that he had acted inappropriately toward several women.

Shooter was first accused of misconduct last year by a fellow member of the House, Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, who said that he had propositioned her and made inappropriate comments.

On Tuesday, House Speaker J.D. Mesnard released an 82-page investigative report that concluded there is "credible evidence" that Shooter has violated House policy.

While Mesnard had originally called for Shooter to be censured, House Majority Whip Kelly Townsend (R-Mesa) on Wednesday said that if Shooter didn't resign, then he should be expelled.

On Thursday morning, not only did Shooter say that he would not resign, he sent a letter challenging the results of the investigation.

Mesnard released a statement saying the letter was "a clear act of retaliation and intimidation" and, as a result, was moving to expel Shooter.

House Minority Leader Rebecca Rios said that before Thursday's vote, Shooter had gone to the office of Ugenti-Rita and while she was not there, he used threatening language.

The last legislator to be expelled was Carolyn Walker in 1991. She was Majority Whip at the time.

Photo of Shooter via Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo