A 21 year-old Kansas Democrat Representative has been called on to step down from his position after he was arrested for a DUI on Satu...
A 21 year-old Kansas Democrat Representative has been called on to step down from his position after he was arrested for a DUI on Saturday weeks after he was bailed over alleged domestic violence.
Aaron Coleman, 21, had previously been bailed out of jail in October after 'hitting and spitting on his brother' as well as 'threatening to attack his grandfather.'
He was arrested at around 1am on Saturday morning on Interstate 70 but was later released out on a $250 bond that afternoon.
Further details of his latest arrest - including whether he was suspected of being on drink or drugs - and results of any sobriety tests - have yet to be shared.
The recent arrest and his past history of inappropriate behavior has prompted Democrats to call for Coleman's resignation from his position.
Kansas Democrat Representative Aaron Coleman, 21, was arrested for a DUI on Saturday while he was already on bail for misdemeanor battery charges
Coleman had previously been arrested in October for allegedly hitting and spitting on his brother as well as threatening his grandfather
'I want to reiterate what I have said in the past: It is clear Representative Coleman is in dire need of help,' House Democratic Leader Tom Sawyer said.
'For the sake of the state of Kansas, his constituents, and himself, he should resign and concentrate on getting the help he badly needs.
'The stress of the legislature is not a healthy environment for someone in this mental state.'
Governor Laura Kelly agreed with Sawyer's statements as she also felt that Coleman needed help.
'Mr. Coleman’s most recent arrest is further evidence that he is not fit to serve in the Kansas House of Representatives and that his continued presence in the Legislature is a disservice to his constituents,' she said.
'He should resign immediately and seek the treatment that he needs. If he does not resign, the Legislature should use its process to remove him from office.'
Coleman, who had held his position for a year, had been arrested in October for the crimes relating to his brother and grandfather which saw him charged with misdemeanor battery in Johnson County District Court.
His brother had claimed that the pair were arguing over his upcoming baptism before he had been hit and spit, according to an affidavit obtained by Fox 4.
House Democratic Leader Tom Sawyer had called for Coleman to resign following his string of erratic behavior
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly agreed with Sawyer as she felt Coleman needed help
The grandfather had witnessed the fight and had been threatened by Coleman as he also saw him hit a fan and flip over a chair.
Coleman was said to have been undergoing sleep deprivation as he claimed he did not rest for 72 hours which could have explained his violent behavior.
He entered a not guilty plea and was later released on a $1,000 bond.
However, he was forced to undergo a mental health evaluation by a judge and recently announced that he was attending therapy.
He is due back in court on December 22 for a diversion hearing.
This is also not the first time Coleman was asked to step down from his position in office by his fellow lawmakers.
Prior to being elected, he had faced accusations of revenge porn when he was a teenager and abuse towards a former ex-girlfriend who claims he slapped and choked her.
Sawyer released a statement to reiterate the idea that Coleman needed to resign as 'the stress of legislature is not a healthy environment for someone in this mental state'
His abusive behaviors towards female officials, however, did not stop after he took office, it is claimed.
He had been allegedly harassing a female campaign officer for an opponent as he sent her harassing messages, broke into her home twice and even attempted to get her evicted, according to The Kansas City Star.
Coleman had also threatened Kelly on Twitter and said she would face a 'bloody' primary.
'People will realize one day when I call a hit out on you it’s real,' he said in deleted tweet.
A total of seven female lawmakers had opted for him to resign even prior to his election after being made aware of his past behavior.
Despite the allegations, he was only issued an informal letter of warning when he was confronted about them by an investigative committee.
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