Data Staff Reports
Baton Rouge, LA – As reported by the Associated Press, Louisiana Secretary of State Tom Scheduler is leaving his elected position as calls for his resignation have increased amid allegations that the state elections chief, sexually harassed one of his employees.
Scheduler announced on Tuesday, that he will be stepping down May 8 from the position he’s held since 2010. He becomes the highest-level public official in Louisiana to be felled by sexual misconduct accusations since the #MeToo movement began.
The Republican previously announced plans to stay until his term ended in January 2020, despite a pending sexual harassment lawsuit against him by an employee.
But the drumbeat for Schedler’s resignation grew louder after the release of sexually themed emails Scheduler had sent the woman who sued him. A special election will fill the remainder of Schedler’s term.
Gov. John Bel Edwards in a statement says he believes Scheduler made the right decision.
“Given the serious nature of the allegations, in February, I called on Secretary of State Tom Scheduler to resign,” Edwards says. “In light of the additional information that has been disclosed, I believe this is the best course of action for Tom, his family, and the state of Louisiana.”
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