Oregon state Sen. Jeff Kruse resigns over sexual harassment claims

Tracy Loew and Jonathan Bach | (Salem, Ore.) Statesman Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Timeline: Investigation of Sen. Jeff Kruse Sen. Jeff Kruse, R-Roseburg, has been accused of sexual harassment and unwanted touching. A report released Feb. 6 details a longstanding pattern of sexual misconduct that escalated in the 2017 legislative session.

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon Sen. Jeff Kruse announced his resignation, effective March 15, from the state Legislature Thursday afternoon following allegations that he sexually harassed female colleagues and other staffers.

In an emailed statement, Kruse said he continues to deny the allegations.

“However, today I tender my resignation so my colleagues may focus on serving Oregonians without distraction and my constituents may receive the fullest representation they are due,” he wrote.

Calls for Kruse’s resignation mounted this week after the release of a 51-page report describing a litany of allegations against Kruse, including “cupping” a lobbyists buttock, calling a law student “sexy,” and “little girl,” and commenting on her legs, numerous instances of unwanted hugging, massaging, touching, kissing and placing his hands on women’s waists or near their breasts.

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A conduct committee of two Republican and two Democratic senators is scheduled to meet to discuss the investigation's findings and possible actions Feb. 22.

In a letter sent to the Secretary of State Dennis Richardson Office on Thursday, Kruse said, "Please accept this notice of my resignation from the office of State Senator - District 1, effective March 15, 2018. I understand that after February 13, 2018, this notification becomes irrevocable."

Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, the first woman to publicly accuse him of sexual harassment, told the Statesman Journal that while she appreciates his resignation, she doesn't understand why it isn't immediate.

"How are we keeping women safe for the next five weeks?" Gelser said.

Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, said he had been working this week with leadership in the Senate Republican Caucus to secure Kruse's resignation.

“While Senator Kruse’s resignation ends a difficult chapter for the Legislature, we cannot allow it to end this discussion. We owe it to the courageous women who came forward to seize this moment," Courtney said. “The Legislative Branch is committed to providing a safe and respectful workplace that is free of harassment."

Rep. Knute Buehler, a Bend Republican, said in a tweet, "Sen. Kruse did the right thing by resigning today. Sexual misconduct has no place in the work place or any place for that matter."

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Thursday morning, a group of 125 lobbyists, politicians and state organizations did the same in an open letter to Kruse and the Senate.

"The bravery of these women should not be dismissed or disrespected by allowing Sen. Kruse to continue to be an elected official in our state," the letter reads, in part.

Signed onto the letter are organizations including Basic Rights Oregon, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Oregon and a handful of unions.

“The revelations in the report about Senator Kruse’s actions are devastating. I believe the women who courageously came forward. It was past time for Senator Kruse to resign," Senate Majority Leader Ginny Burdick, D-Portland, said Thursday evening. "We now have work to do to make our Capitol a harassment-free workplace, and that all individuals are respected.”

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Senate Republican Leader Jackie Winters, D-Salem, thanked Kruse for his service.

"He has been a true advocate for his district and rural Oregon," Winters said. "As we move forward we must work to provide a safe work environment for all."

“Serving the people of Curry and portions of Coos, Douglas, Josephine and Jackson counties for the past 22 years has been the greatest honor of my life,” Kruse wrote in his statement. “I have been proud to serve alongside my colleagues in the Oregon House and Senate, and I am very proud of my accomplishments in healthcare and education. I look forward to returning to the wonderful community that has supported me for over two decades."

Kruse's resignation follows the expulsion in Arizona last week of a state representative for sexual misconduct, thought to be the first one since the Me Too movement started in 2017.

Follow Tracy Loew and Jonathan Bach on Twitter: @Tracy_Loew and @jonathanmbach