Senator Jamie Eldridge
Senator Jamie Eldridge calls for Senator Stan Rosenberg to resign immediately
I call on Senator Stan Rosenberg to resign from his position as State Senator, effective immediately. In addition, I urge the Senate Committee on Ethics to recommend stronger punishment for Senator Rosenberg, including immediate censure, and suspension of Senator Rosenberg as a State Senator.
Today, my Senate colleagues and I read S.2510, Report of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Concerning the Conduct of Senator Stanley C. Rosenberg. I am deeply disturbed, appalled, and hurt by the actions of Senator Rosenberg, as thoroughly detailed in the Senate Committee on Ethics Report. I commend the independent investigators, and the members of the Senate Committee on Ethics, for their hard work, which is evidenced in this comprehensive report.
From the review of the Report, conversations with my colleagues, constituents, and fellow Massachusetts residents, reading the Massachusetts State Senate Rules, and considering the duties, standards, powers, obligations, and responsibilities of every elected official, I believe that Senator Rosenberg should resign immediately, and the Senate Committee on Ethics should recommend stronger punishment for Senator Rosenberg, for the following reasons:
1. Senator Rosenberg did not create a “firewall,” a comprehensive barrier between Senator Rosenberg’s public duties, and his personal life, despite his promise to, and serious concerns from Senators that he must do so;
2. Senator Rosenberg failed to protect the public safety, well-being, and safe working environment of State Senators, Senate staff, State House employees, and individuals who have business before the Legislature;
3. Senator Rosenberg’s actions and failure to act allowed his husband Bryon Hefner to have undue influence, and the appearance of undue influence, on Senate business and policy, and created a workplace atmosphere that allowed Bryon Hefner to make personal attacks on Senators, Senate staff, State House employees, and individuals who have business before the Legislature;
4. Senator Rosenberg failed to take reasonable action to prevent the foreseeable likelihood that his husband Bryon Hefner would sexually assault and sexually harass State House employees, and individuals who have business before the Legislature;
5. Senator Rosenberg prioritized his position as Senate President, his personal life, and his husband, above the public interest that comes with being an elected official, the State Senate, and State House employees.
I am very disappointed to learn today the extent to which Senator Rosenberg’s actions, and failure to take corrective actions, have harmed so many people, the State Senate, State Senators, Senate staff, and Massachusetts public servants. It is critical that we always demand the highest standards from our elected officials.
My thoughts today, as they have been since November 30th, 2017, are with the survivors of this outrage and tragedy.
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