If state Rep. Steve Lebsock and Sen. Randy Baumgardner had any decency they would have resigned by now to do some serious soul-searching — and if Lebsock does so, he better give himself plenty of time.
After all, five women have accused Lebsock of 11 instances of workplace harassment, and one legislative employee accused Baumgardner of slapping or grabbing her buttocks on more than one occasion. Also, a former intern at the Capitol has detailed a pattern of inappropriate behavior from Baumgardner.
Any normal person would take these formal complaints as a signal that their behavior has been so far beyond the pale of common decency as to compel women to put their careers on the line to protect others from such lecherous treatment.
However, we cannot support an effort in the Colorado House of Representatives to expel Lebsock, and in the state Senate to expel Baumgardner, from not only the chambers but from their duly elected positions. Vacancy committees would decide who should replace Lebsock in House District 34, a seat that represents a small portion of Adams County including part of Thornton, and Baumgardner in Senate District 8 in northwestern Colorado.
It’s been more than 100 years since a lawmaker was expelled from office for bad behavior. In 1915 Rep. William Howland was ousted following a bribery investigation. And while this tool of policing their own is available to lawmakers per the Colorado Constitution, we feel it should be reserved for the most extreme cases imaginable — particularly, but not limited to, criminal misconduct.
House Majority Leader K.C. Becker has put together a compelling call for why Lebsock should not be allowed to finish out his final term in office. Her report concludes: “Lebsock’s behavior reflects a pattern of behavior that is extraordinarily unbecoming of an elected official and merits his removal.”
Lebsock has lashed out, accusing some of the women who filed complaints and others of mounting a politically motivated conspiracy to take him down. According to the findings of an investigation conducted by a third-party entity, the boor even threatened to sue some of the women and released information publicly about them — including that one of the women had had an extra-marital affair — in retaliation for the complaints.
Disgusting behavior for a man who is trying to be the state’s next treasurer.
While we have reservations about the lawmakers’ peers ousting them from office, there is another way, at least in the case of Baumgardner, whose term extends to 2020. We hope his constituents remember that the Colorado Constitution provides a mechanism for them to recall their elected officials mid-term through a signature petition process that ultimately triggers a special election and allows voters to select an alternate candidate.
Recalls exist for just such instances of misconduct among elected officials and allow voters to have the final say. Admittedly, the process is an arduous and uncertain one.
And again, we hope Republicans follow the lead of Democrats who stripped Lebsock of all but one committee position, the furthest they could take their punishment, and remove Baumgardner from key committee positions he still holds.
Finally, the victims in these cases should not be discouraged regardless of the outcomes of these expulsion votes. Their courage in speaking out against unacceptable behavior is bringing change to the halls of power. We hope it paves a path free of harassment for the next generation of workers under the Gold Dome.
Updated March 1, 4:58 p.m.: The following information has been updated: Because of an editorial writer’s error, an earlier version of this editorial incorrectly suggested that it would be practical for voters in Rep. Steve Lebsock’s district to recall him.
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