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Manweller Stripped Of Committee Assignment, Resigns As Assistant Floor Leader

Republican state Rep. Matt Manweller is a political science professor at Central Washington University.
Washington Legislature
Republican state Rep. Matt Manweller is a political science professor at Central Washington University.

Embattled Washington state Rep. Matt Manweller has resigned his leadership position with House Republicans. He’s also been stripped of a key committee role.

In a statement, House Republican Leader Dan Kristiansen said Manweller agreed to step down as assistant floor leader. He was also “removed” from his position as the ranking Republican on the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee.

No reason was given. But the move comes less than a week after Manweller was placed on paid administrative leave from Central Washington University. The university said it’s preparing to investigate new allegations of misconduct against Manweller who’s a tenured political science professor there.

Manweller has been investigated twice before for allegations that he sexually harassed and even propositioned students—allegations he denies and that were never formally substantiated.

In a brief text message, Manweller said he’s become a distraction as a member of the House Republican leadership team and that for now he plans to step away and focus on his district.

Copyright 2017 Northwest News Network

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy as well as the Washington State legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia." Prior to joining the Northwest News Network, Austin worked as a television reporter in Seattle, Portland and Boise. Austin is a graduate of Garfield High School in Seattle and Connecticut College in New London, Connecticut. Austin’s reporting has been recognized with awards from the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors, Public Radio News Directors Incorporated and the Society of Professional Journalists.
Austin Jenkins
Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."