Kansas Democrat House Representative Aaron Coleman has been arrested yet again, this time for driving under the influence.
At the time of his arrest on Saturday, Coleman was already on a bond for a battery charge.
The Democratic leader in the Kansas House of Representatives called on Rep. Aaron Coleman to resign.
Tom Sawyer, the Democratic minority leader, said in a statement:
“I want to reiterate what I have said in the past: It is clear Representative Coleman is in dire need of help. 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,” 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.”
House Speaker Ron Ryckman said:
“Mr. Coleman’s actions continue to be a detriment to himself and others, and most importantly to the people who elected him to represent them.
“I hope constituents recognize this and that Mr. Coleman will step down to get the services he needs.”
From The Kansas City Star:
Kansas Rep. Aaron Coleman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence Saturday morning, his second arrest in less than a month.
The Kansas Highway Patrol arrested Coleman, a Kansas City, Kansas, Democrat, at 1 a.m. Saturday at mile marker 203 on westbound Interstate 70, according to Douglas County jail records. Coleman, who was out on bond from an arrest last month, was booked into the Douglas County Jail and released on $250 bond Saturday at 1:37 p.m.
From KSNT:
On Oct. 30, police were called to an Overland Park home where Coleman lived with his brother. According to the affidavit, Coleman’s brother told officers the two men argued over his upcoming baptism. He then accused Coleman of pushing him backward, hitting him in the chest, and spitting on him.
The document shows that the men’s grandfather witnessed the fight. He also told officers that Coleman threatened to harm him, and that Coleman kicked over a box fan and flipped a chair.
After interviewing Coleman’s brother and his grandfather, officers arrested Coleman. They said Coleman was uncooperative and refused to identify himself. The affidavit also shows that officers believed Coleman’s behavior was “extremely erratic” and fluctuated easily. He then told officers that he hadn’t slept in 72 hours.
After officers took Coleman to the hospital, he was eventually released and booked into jail. He has entered a not guilty plea and was released on a $1,000 bond. Coleman will have to participate in a mental health evaluation and other mental health programming as a condition of his release.
Release: House Democratic Leader Responds to Representative Aaron Coleman’s Arrest #ksleg pic.twitter.com/MlO2b0qwIM
— Kansas House Democrats (@KSHouseDems) November 29, 2021
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