A bipartisan throng of Oregon political heavyweights on Thursday called on state Sen. Jeff Kruse to resign following an increasing number of reports that he sexually harassed women at the Capitol, including two senators.

In separate statements, the officials pressured the Republican lawmaker to address accusations of sexual harassment and added their voices to the list of politicians calling for his ouster.

In a strong rebuke of a member of his own party, Bend Rep. Knute Buehler, who is seeking the Republican nomination for governor, said Kruse's alleged behavior "has no place in civil society or the workplace." Kruse has lost all credibility and should resign, Buehler said.

During his daily radio talk show, Rep. Bill Post, a Keizer Republican, also called on Kruse to resign.

State Treasurer Tobias Read, a Democrat, said the allegations of inappropriate touching by Kruse are "concerning and warrant investigation and action." Read said he is troubled that Kruse has not corrected his behavior despite warnings from legislative leadership and dismayed that Kruse will not accept responsibility.

"A resignation by Senator Kruse would demonstrate that he is willing to accept responsibility and put the state and its citizens first. ... It's time for him to resign," Read said.

"In the face of mounting, serious allegations of sexual harassment, it is time for Sen. Kruse to resign from the Oregon State Senate," said House Majority Leader Jennifer Williamson, D-Portland. "The Oregon Legislature is committed to changing a toxic culture but that cannot happen while Sen. Kruse remains."

Jeanne Atkins, chairwoman of the Democratic Party of Oregon, also called for Kruse's resignation.

"Enough is enough," Atkins said. "As more facts emerge and accusations surface, we now know his history of behavior is egregious. There must be consequences -- not just never-ending investigations and warnings -- for a sitting Oregon senator with this record."

Statements from the politicians follow remarks made Wednesday by Secretary of State Dennis Richardson, Oregon's top Republican, that Kruse should resign if the allegations against him are true.

Kruse, a lawmaker since 1996, has acknowledged that he touched women at the Capitol, but denied that his conduct crossed boundaries. Kruse has said the allegations against him are politically motivated and that he will not resign. He stopped responding to requests for comment from The Oregonian/OregonLive after it published accounts of the harassment allegations last month.

Sen. Sara Gelser, D-Corvallis, filed a formal complaint against Kruse on Wednesday, alleging in detail years of sexual harassment that occurred in committee meetings and on the floor of the state House and Senate. Gelser said Kruse touched her breasts and her thigh, kissed her cheek and came so close to her while whispering in her ear that he left her ear wet.

In her complaint, Gelser said as many as 15 other women have told her about unwanted touching by Kruse.

Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, said Senate rules will be followed that require an investigation into Gelser's complaint and a public hearing to review the findings.

Courtney relieved Kruse of his committee assignments and removed the door from his Capitol office after Gelser filed her second informal sexual harassment complaint against him.

In her formal complaint, Gelser called on the Senate to expel Kruse -- the most serious discipline lawmakers can impose on each other. Expulsion requires a two-thirds vote.

-- Gordon R. Friedman

503-221-8209; @GordonRFriedman