REPUBLICAN PARTY OF NEW MEXICO CALLS FOR LAS CRUCES STATE LAWMAKER TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION TO CONSTITUENTS
ALBUQUERQUE, OCTOBER 15 — The Republican Party of New Mexico is calling for Democratic State Sen. Jeff Steinborn to come clean after a report revealed that a New Mexico bipartisan ethics panel passed into law by the Democrat-controlled legislature found he “very likely” sexually harassed Animal Protection of New Mexico lobbyist Laura Bonar.
The 2014 incident came to light during a 2018 investigation of a former Democratic state lawmaker who was also accused of sexual misconduct against Bonar. That investigation cleared him after Bonar refused to testify, but did not clear Steinborn.
During that 2018 investigation, the Legislative Ethics Subcommittee, after reviewing testimony, depositions and documents, found that it was “very likely” that in 2014 Bonar was also the victim of sexual harassment by then State Representative Steinborn. The ethics panel concluded the incident happened in a hallway when Steinborn allegedly grabbed Bonar’s face. She called it “a weird and uncomfortable moment.”
Here’s the Subcommittee’s letter regarding the complaint against Steinborn.
Seven out of eight members of the Legislative Ethics Subcommittee signed off in asking Democratic leadership for a full investigation into this sexual harassment against Bonar. But Democratic legislative leadership killed the matter on a partisan vote.
“Any sitting lawmaker is in a position of authority and responsibility,” said Republican Party of New Mexico Chairman Steve Pearce. “Senator Steinborn owes the people a explanation and some answers about this incident. No one is above the law, and politicians must be accountable for their actions.”
