LAWRENCE, Kan. — Kansas Democratic House Rep. Aaron Coleman was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of driving under the influence.
Douglas County jail records show that he was arrested by Kansas State Highway Patrol while driving on Interstate 70 westbound.
He was released on a $250 bond.
Coleman has represented Kansas’ 37th District in the state House of Representatives for a year. Leaders in Kansas government have been trying to oust him or get him to resign since he was elected.
“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.”
“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,” Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly 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.”
Representatives Mari-Lynn Poskin of Leawood, Jo Ella Hoye of Lenexa, Linda Featherston of Overland Park, Christina Haswood of Lawrence, Stephanie Byers of Wichita, and Lindsay Vaughn of Overland Park called for Coleman to resign.
They also filed a formal complaint with the Kansas Legislature calling for censure procedures including the possibility of expelling Coleman.
“We believe that there is reasonable evidence of noncompliance with a previous warning and admonishment from the House Select Investigating Committee that was issued after a longstanding pattern of physically and emotionally abusive harassment, violence, bullying and stalking was documented. This behavior puts state employees, legislators, and visitors to the Capitol at risk and makes it unsafe for him to serve in the Kansas House of Representatives,” the Representatives said in a statement.
This is the second complaint filed by the group of Representatives. They filed the first complaint on Jan. 12 after Coleman threatened a “hit” against Gov. Kelly.
Coleman was also arrested and then charged Nov. 1 with a misdemeanor count of domestic battery. Court documents show he assaulted a family member when prosecutors say Coleman pushed a man, hit him in the chest, and spit on him.
Coleman is supposed to participate in a mental health evaluation as part of his release in that case.
These are just the latest accusations made against Coleman. He’s also been accused of revenge porn as a teenager, abuse of an ex-girlfriend, and a stalking case by an opponent’s staffer.
Coleman has said in the past that he has grown in the face of these scandals but has also been unapologetic about how he provokes people being a political figure.
