For the second time in as many weeks, a prominent Democratic lawmaker in Nevada has resigned from office amid allegations of misconduct.
UPDATE:
The Washoe County Commission is now accepting applications to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Assemblyman Michael Sprinkle. According to a press release, the earliest the Washoe County Commission could take action to appoint a replacement would be at their regularly scheduled meeting on March 26, 2019.
ORIGINAL:
Democratic Assemblyman Mike Sprinkle of Sparks announced his resignation Thursday citing “growing sexual harassment claims” against him.
Sprinkle, first elected to the Assembly in 2012, served in the leadership as majority whip as well as the chair of the chamber’s Health and Human Services Committee.
In a statement, Sprinkle said he considers himself a caring, compassionate person, that he’s disappointed in himself and sorry if anyone felt harassed or threatened. He said he takes full responsibility for his actions.
In a brief Q and A after Thursday’s floor session, Speaker of the Assembly Jason Frierson told reporters he was surprised by the resignation.
“I think what this really means is that we are willing to hold ourselves accountable and make sure we deal with troubled behavior and move this state forward. I think for far too long in politics, folks only looked at the other side, not willing to hold themselves accountable and I think this is a reflection of us making sure that we maintain an environment that is appropriate in this building to get work done.”
In a similar statement, Democratic Governor Steve Sisolak said he was “profoundly disgusted and outraged” by the allegations and that sexual harassment will never be tolerated.
Sprinkle’s resignation comes a little more than a week after Democratic Senate Majority Leader Kelvin Atkinson announced he was leaving office after admitting to misusing campaign funds for personal use.