Rep. Steve Watkins
Steven (Steve) Charles Watkins Republican lawmaker steps down from committees after election fraud charges Cook displaces 20 House districts toward Democrats The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Argentum – Mask mandates, restrictions issued as COVID- 19 stretches MORE (R-Kan.) He announced Friday that he will temporarily step down from his committee after being charged with three felonies and one misdemeanor.
“Throughout my entire career, I have placed service above myself, and this instance is no different. That is why I have decided to voluntarily and temporarily depart from my committees, allow the committees to continue their critical work, and fight these false charges, ”Watkins said in a statement.
The rules of the Republican House Conference suggest that Watkins would have been forced to resign anyway. According to rules passed in 2018, lawmakers who have been charged with a felony and face more than two years in prison must resign their committee and / or leadership positions.
Watkins, accused of voting illegally in a 2019 local election, also used Friday’s statement to deny the charges against him, claiming the charges were politically motivated.
“I hope to expose the corruption and collusion behind this blatant political indictment and hold those responsible accountable,” said the first-term lawmaker.
Watkins was a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, the Education and Labor Committee and the Veterans Affairs Committee.
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Kevin Owen McCarthy 12:30 PM Hill Report – Presented by Facebook – Republicans readjust summer convention plans UPDATED: McCarthy postpones The Hill’s Morning Report press conference – Presented by Argentum – Mask mandates, custom-issued restrictions that COVID-19 extends MORE (R-Calif.) He said Watkins still has his support and that he has no plans to back down from previous donations made to his reelection campaign.
“I have previously contributed to Steve’s campaign in this race and I am not going to change that. I know Steve said that he is resigning from his committees right now while working on the charges, and that he has an ongoing campaign right now. I have not changed my position in my support for him, “McCarthy told reporters in a press call on Friday.
Watkins faces a difficult main challenge from Kansas Treasurer Jake LaTurner and moderate Dennis Taylor.
Shawnee County District Attorney Mike Kagay announced all four charges against Watkins on Tuesday: interference with police, providing false information; vote without being qualified; illegal early voting; and not notify DMV of the change of address. The announcement was made less than an hour before Watkins took the stage for a televised debate against his main opponents.
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