SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake County Democratic Party is calling for the resignation of Utah State Sen. Gene Davis, who was accused of sexual harassment by a former staff member.
The woman was initially an intern for Davis, a Democrat who represents Senate District 3 in Salt Lake City on Utah's Capitol Hill. She was later hired as a paid staffer on his campaign. She said she had heard of past allegations from other former staffers against Davis, but talked herself out of her concerns for the opportunity to work at the Capitol. She said she experienced harassment while working in both positions.
Last month, shortly after the woman came forward with the allegations via social media, the Salt Lake County Democratic Party "temporarily" suspended him from any events, committees and party-related activity. The Utah State Senate then launched an investigation into the accusations, and the Utah Democratic Party also suspended him from party activities after he reportedly refused to voluntarily step down at the request of party leaders.
On Tuesday, the Salt Lake County Democratic Party announced that its Judicial Committee completed an investigation on Sep. 8 and voted unanimously to support the claim that he "violated the Party’s Anti-Harassment Policy." They then recommended to the Executive Committee that Davis should be suspended for two years from all official party events and from party support, as well as calling upon him to resign.
The Executive Committee unanimously agreed to the recommendation in a meeting held Sep. 12, then relayed the decision to both Davis and the woman who leveled the accusations against him.
There was a 14-day period in which an appeal could be filed, but the party wrote in Tuesday's announcement that they did not receive one — so the recommendation went into effect. They officially called for his "immediate and unconditional resignation," and he was suspended for two years from all party events and support.
"We remain committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment, free of harassment, to all who wish to participate," the party said in a written statement. "We take our responsibility of providing this environment seriously and will always stand up for those who experience harassment, regardless of the identity of the accused."
Last week, Davis declined to comment when FOX 13 News asked him about the accusations leveled against him.
Davis lost his primary election this year to Nate Blouin, and will not be in office by the time the 2023 legislative session starts in January. If he resigns before the general election, the party would select an interim senator to fill the vacancy until the new senator takes office.
However, an attorney representing Davis issued a statement Tuesday night, saying he will not be stepping down. It also accused the party of conducting an unfair investigation. He also claims that he appealed the decision, but that his appeal was ignored.
The full statement reads:
"The Salt Lake County Democratic Party Executive recently released the results of their internal investigation regarding allegations brought against Senator Gene Davis. The Executive Committee claimed that their investigation was fairly conducted under their Anti-Harassment Policy and Procedure.
"Nothing could be further from the truth. The Salt Lake County Democratic Executive Committee failed to follow the most important procedures under their “investigation.” Beginning with the violatory Twitter statement released by Chair Eva Lopez on August 4, 2022, the Salt Lake County Democratic Party Executive Committee has regularly and continuously violated the procedures, requirements, and restrictions of the Democratic Party’s Anti-Harassment Policy including but not limited to the requirement of confidentiality, the right to an unbiased investigation, and the right to appeal any decision.
"As demonstrated by the Salt Lake County Democratic Party Executive Committee’s multiple statements, confidentiality has never even been considered, let alone followed. Furthermore, rather than ensure an unbiased process, the accuser in this case was allowed to serve on the Judicial Committee and Executive Committee over the objection of Senator Davis. Entirely contrary to the statement released by the Salt Lake Democratic Party today, Senator Davis did in fact timely appeal the decision of the Executive Committee, but his appeal was simply ignored by the Salt Lake County Democratic Party Executive Committee. There is no separation of power in the Salt Lake County Democratic Party as the same people who investigate the claims are the people who are the prosecutor, the jury and the appellate court.
"At no point throughout the Salt Lake County Democratic Party’s investigation has Senator Davis been afforded his opportunity to be heard, a violation of his constitutionally protected due process rights. While the Salt Lake County Democratic Party leadership states they believe in protections of the Constitution, in practice they do not adhere to due process.
"Senator Davis has done nothing that would warrant his resignation from the Utah State Senate. Senator Davis will continue to be a fervent voice on Capitol Hill for public education and for the health and economic stability of Utah families. Senator Davis is saddened that the Salt Lake County Party Leaders have continually violated the Party’s policies and procedures, but he will continue to tirelessly serve the great people of his district and the State of Utah through the full term of his office as he has done for the last 36 years."
