(Headline USA) New Hampshire Democrats called on one of their own members to resign from the state House this week after he was arrested and charged with stalking.
Democrat state Rep. Matt Wilhelm, D-Manchester, and state party chair Ray Buckley said Rep.-elect Stacie Laughton, a man who identifies as a woman, needs to resign following reports that he was thrown in jail for stalking a young woman.
The allegations against Laughton are “serious” and “troubling,” the Democrats said.
Laughton was arrested on Nov. 12 and is accused of violating a court order that prohibits him from posting on social media about a woman, whose identity has not been revealed.
Laughton was also convicted in August of repeatedly texting 911 during non-emergencies. He allegedly texted 911 “for no emergency or police related matter” a dozen times between May and July 2021. Nine of the 12 charges filed against him were dropped, and he was ordered to perform community service.
After reports about Laughton’s recent stalking charge began to circulate, he initially agreed to resign and not take his seat in the New Hampshire House. But then he backtracked, saying that he would not give up his seat.
New Hampshire Democrats, who are desperate to make sure Laughton’s seat remains in Democrat hands, blasted Laughton.
“After going back on her word to resign today, I call on Representative-Elect Laughton to resign immediately. The charges against Laughton are extremely serious and troubling and have no place in our state legislature or in our party,” Buckley said in a statement.
Wilhem said there should be a special election to choose a new representative.
“We had hoped that Representative-Elect Laughton would make the decision to not be seated ahead of Organization Day today. If true, the allegations against her are deeply troubling — domestic violence and stalking is reprehensible behavior,” he said.
“While Representative Laughton’s attorney has stated that she will be unable to undertake legislative activities for a couple of months, I call on her to issue a formal resignation and allow the citizens of Nashua to elect a new representative in a special election.”
