Earlier this year, Williams faced allegations of sexual misconduct which led to the House Rules Committee meeting in September to discuss and recommend disciplinary action. The committee landed on several recommendations, including requesting Williams step down from his position. Now that he is re-elected, members of the House Democratic Caucus are renewing the call for him to resign.
“I do not take the will of the people lightly, however, the allegations against Rep. Williams are severe and disturbing enough to warrant calling for his resignation,” said House Democratic Leader Melissa Provenzano, D-Tulsa. “The House Rules Committee found substantiated allegations of sexual harassment, and I thank them for their work to censure and recommend disciplinary action. However, it is simply not enough. We need accountability, and we need Oklahomans to know that no one is above abiding by the conduct all employees are expected to follow.”
Rep. Andy Fugate, D-Del City, is one of two democrats who sit on the House Rules Committee.
“Rep. Williams should resign,” Fugate said. “The House employees who came forward showed real courage, and they deserve to know they were heard and that their safety comes first. Every employee, at the Capitol or anywhere else, should be able to go to work without fear. No one should have to work alongside someone accused of repeated, serious misconduct toward staff.
“The Speaker and the House Rules Committee worked hard on this, but with the Legislature out of session and an election just weeks away, the steps taken were the most we could do at the time. They were not enough. If Rep. Williams will not step down, the 61st Legislature should, at a minimum, keep the Speaker’s sanctions in place and adopt the additional sanctions the Rules Committee recommended, including no one-on-one contact with staff.”
Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, says all who come to the Capitol deserve to feel safe.
“Everyone at the Capitol–be it constituents, staff, or legislators–deserves to feel safe in their House of Representatives,” Pogemiller said. “Williams must take accountability and resign immediately to show Oklahomans that this kind of behavior will not be tolerated at the Capitol. When several substantiated allegations are brought forth, there must be accountability to ensure the safety and peace of all who come to the Oklahoma State Capitol.”
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