SLCo Democratic Party wants Sen. Davis to resign, immediately
Sep 27, 2022, 3:56 PM | Updated: Sep 28, 2022, 7:15 am
Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, speaks in support of HB440, which modifies provisions related to the oversight and provision of services for individuals experiencing homelessness, at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Thursday, March 3, 2022. (Mengshin Lin, Deseret News)
(Mengshin Lin, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Salt Lake County Democrats call for Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, to resign immediately after their investigation of sexual misconduct claims Tuesday afternoon.
On Sept. 8, the Salt Lake County Democratic Party Judicial Committee unanimously voted that Davis violated the Party’s Anti-Harassment Policy after their investigation into sexual misconduct claims, according to the party’s statement.
Their Judicial Committee recommended their Executive Committee call for Davis’s immediate and unconditional resignation, suspending him from all Salt Lake County Democratic Party events and support from the Democrat party for two years.
Salt Lake County Democratic Party Calls for the Immediate and Unconditional Resignation of Senator Gene Davis following an investigation into a complaint issued against Senator Davis. #utpol
The full statement can be found here: https://t.co/KAGc1CGiJq pic.twitter.com/Bf2b9AwTsD— Salt Lake County Democratic Party (@SLCountyDems) September 27, 2022
On Sept. 12, the Executive Committee unanimously voted to approve the Judicial Committee’s recommendations, according to the party statement.
Davis had the option to appeal the decision within 14 days of the Executive Committee’s decision, but no appeal was filed.
“We remain committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment, free of harassment, to all who wish to participate. We take our responsibility of providing this environment seriously and will always stand up for those who experience harassment, regardless of the identity of the accused,” reads the Salt Lake County Democratic Party statement.
Davis was publicly accused by a former intern of sexual misconduct in August, prompting the Utah Democratic Party to suspend him from all party-related activities and asking him to step down.
On Tuesday evening, Davis’s attorney sent a statement saying the Salt Lake County Democratic Party investigation was unfair and biased towards him.
“At no point throughout the Salt Lake County Democratic Party’s investigation has Davis been afforded his opportunity to be heard, a violation of his constitutionally protected due process rights,” reads Davis’s statement. “While the Salt Lake County Democratic Party leadership states they believe in protections of the Constitution, in practice, they do not adhere to due process.”
The statement accuses the party of ignoring the appeal Davis sent to the committee, even if the party statement says he didn’t file for one.
Davis also has no plans of stepping down and will serve the rest of his term.
“Davis has done nothing that would warrant his resignation from the Utah State Senate. [He] will continue to be a fervent voice on Capitol Hill for public education and for the health and economic stability of Utah families,” reads Davis’s statement. “[He] is saddened that the Salt Lake County Party Leaders have continually violated the Party’s policies and procedures, but he will continue to tirelessly serve the great people of his district.”
