Apple Valley Representative Accuses Lawmakers Of Harassment

Apple Valley Democrat Rep. Erin Maye Quade took office in January. In the 11 months she’s been in office, Maye Quade says she’s been sexual harassed several times. She adds that she’s not the only one.

Maye Quade is among the women saying they’ve been sexually harassed by Democratic state Sen. Dan Schoen. On Thursday, Maye Quade said she’s also been harassed by other lawmakers, including Republican Rep. Tony Cornish of Vernon Center.

“I am not alone in experiencing harassment at the workplace, and I am not alone in experiencing harassment at the Capitol,” Maye Quade said in a statement. “As a candidate, I experienced it with Sen. Schoen, as a legislator, I’ve experienced it by multiple members of the majority and reported it."

In text messages Maye Quade shared with the Star Tribune, Cornish tells her he "got busted" for staring at her on the House floor in May:

Cornish: "I just got an anonymous text saying I got busted for staring at you on the house floor,,,,. Haha”

Maye Quade: Oh yeah?! Ha

Maye Quade: Who busted you

Cornish: Cell #. No name

Cornish: You got bused looking??? Haha

Cornish: Must be a,guy

Maye Quade: Oh totally

Maye Quade: It why I waved

Cornish: I told him it was your fault, of course. Look too damned good. Ha

Cornish: I must be more gentlemanly when I run for Governor

Maye Quade: You can always start now!

Cornish: True!

Cornish: And, I’d never run

Cornish claims the texts have been taken out of context. He released the following statement to KSMP Thursday:

"Over the last year, I have maintained a friendly and professional relationship with Rep. Maye Quade. As with many members, we have exchanged texts, e-mails and phone calls. It came to my attention today that I offended Rep. Maye Quade in one of the text messages. This was a poor attempt at humor with a colleague and I sincerely apologize."

Maye Quade, who is married to a woman, said another lawmaker once told her "Hey Maye Quade, know what we both have in common? We both like to f--- hot women." She said other lawmakers were present at the time.

"That's when it gets back to culture,” Maye Quade told KMSP. “We are here doing serious work. We are not supposed to be talking about my sex life."

Cornish also faces allegations from a longtime lobbyist who told the Star Tribune that Cornish has propositioned her for sex dozens of times and at one time pushed her against a wall and tried to kiss her.

Republican House Speaker Kurt Daudt announced late Thursday that he had suspended Cornish's chairmanship of the Public Safety and Crime Prevention committee. Daudt told Minnesota Public Radio he had not received a specific sexual harassment complaint during his time as speaker.

Maye Quade later disputed that assertion, stating she was “disappointed in Speaker Daudt’s false statements yesterday to Minnesota Public Radio that he had no prior knowledge of misconduct.”

“I know he was specifically informed of the inappropriate behavior that was directed toward me by members of his caucus who hold committee gavels. Though he had the opportunity back in May, I hope he follows DFL Leadership’s lead with swift action.”

Maye Quade said numerous people have contacted her with their own stories and said she wants anyone else “to know they are not alone.”

Also read: Minnesota State Senator Accused Of Sexually Harassing Women

Image via Minnesota House of Representatives