Walz, top Democrats call for Rep. John Thompson's resignation

[WhiskeyGrinder]

https://www.startribune.com/walz-top-democrats-call-for-rep-john-thompson-s-resignation/600078984/

Top state Democratic lawmakers, including DFL Gov. Tim Walz, are calling on state Rep. John Thompson to resign following reports of domestic violence allegations in his past.

The four domestic assault cases, spanning a period between 2003 and 2009, included allegations that Thompson punched and choked women, sometimes in the presence of children. FOX 9 first reported the allegations Friday night.

"The alleged acts of violence against multiple women outlined in these reports are serious and deeply disturbing," Walz said in a statement. "Minnesotans deserve representatives of the highest moral character, who uphold our shared values. Rep. Thompson can no longer effectively be that leader and he should immediately resign."

Thompson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The first-term Democrat, who represents a district on the east side of St. Paul, has been in the spotlight since he was stopped by police while driving July 4.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. Def. sounds damn alarming, but it is 12 years ago ... how old is he now?

Any charges or convictions?

Any sign he went through treatment for anger mgmt or the like?

Is this a safe Democratic seat?

Just curious.

Weird how stuff like this can NOT come up during the election itself.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

2. .

Any charges or convictions?

According to Fox9:

The domestic violence cases stretch back to October 2003, in Superior, Wisconsin, when Thompson was arrested after he allegedly struck his girlfriend in the face with an open and closed fist. The woman’s five-year-old daughter witnessed the assault, which happened in a Supermarket parking lot.

Thompson’s girlfriend said she and her child were homeless and declined to cooperate.

Superior Police said Thompson fled the scene and resisted arrest when he was found a short time later. Thompson eventually pled guilty in Douglas County, Wisconsin to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest.

Any sign he went through treatment for anger mgmt or the like?

No.

Is this a safe Democratic seat?

Yes, St. Paul. That shouldn't matter, though.

Weird how stuff like this can NOT come up during the election itself.

Indeed. I'm more angry, though, that this never came up internally before he was ever a candidate.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

3. Thanks for the info ...

It is frustrating to see someone come this far, get elected as a Democrat, and then have this come out ... looks bad for us all.

If he's under 38-ish though, he was quite young at the time, and 12 years is long time for a 38 year old ... IF he's learned his lesson, maybe (depending on the details) I might be willing to 'hear him out', esp. if he's now married and his current spouse and family vouched he's changed. Not saying it's a free pass, but maybe I'd hear an explanation and consider it (again, depending on severity involved).

If he's 45 or above, no friggin' way, he needs to go. No possible 'I was a stupid drunken young man but I've turned my life around' type of deal.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

4. Welp...

Thompson is currently on trial in Hennepin County for a disorderly conduct case that stemmed from a visit to North Memorial Hospital, where Thompson and others were asked to leave.

https://www.kare11.com/article/news/local/rep-john-thompson-on-trial-for-2019-incident-at-north-memorial-hospital/89-6ba08a0f-6a2b-4f01-bf99-db10e72d454b

[Hugh_Lebowski]

5. The redeeming qualities seem to be coming up seriously lacking ...

Disappointing ... really wonder how this man ended up a D candidate

[Ocelot II]

6. Democrats have some miscreants in their ranks, too. Maybe not as many as the GOP

but they are there. The difference is that Democrats tend to be less tolerant of them, which is as it should be.