February 26, 2018 11:22 AM UTC

ICYMI: Local Paper Calls For Baumgardner To Resign

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• by: Colorado Pols

Following the laughably light “voluntary” punishment of Sen. Randy Baumgardner by Republican Senate leadership after an investigation into Baumgardner’s sexual harassment of women in the Colorado General Assembly found a complaint against him credible, the Denver Post’s editorial board called on Baumgardner to resign.

Last week, one of the principal daily newspapers in Baumgardner’s district, the Steamboat Pilot & Today, told Baumgardner to hang it up as well–and their local voice should if anything carry more weight. In both cases it’s worth noting for the record:

In a press conference last week, Baumgardner called the findings of the investigation “flawed, inaccurate, incomplete and biased” but he said he was taking some voluntary steps to help bring the matter to a conclusion, which include giving up chairmanship of the transportation committee and attending sensitivity training at the request of State Senate President and GOP leader Kevin Grantham. Baumgardner did not opt to step down as chairman of the capital development committee or vice chairman of the agricultural committee.

While not a finding of guilt, the fact that the claims were shown to be credible leads us to believe there is some truth to the allegations, and as a result, we would call for Baumgardner to do more than give up a committee chairmanship. We think it’s time for Baumgardner to resign as our state representative.

Baumgardner said at the press conference that he was ready to put “controversy behind us” and that the issue was “beginning to impede the important work we do here at the Capitol.” We agree with Baumgardner’s assessment but we believe the only way to do that is for Baumgardner to step down from all his legislative duties.

Senate President Kevin Grantham may “deem the matter closed,” but that doesn’t oblige Baumgardner’s constituents to agree.