Missouri State Representative Jeremy LaFaver (D-Kansas City) announced this morning that he has asked to step aside as chair of the House Democratic Victory Committee.
“The goal of electing Democrats to the House is too important to the middle class men and women of Missouri for my personal embarrassment to become a distraction, and I have therefore asked the Minority Leader to let me step down from the chairmanship,” LaFaver said in a statement.
The Missouri Republican Party has issued the following statement.
“Missouri Republicans are calling on Democrat Rep. LaFaver to walk the walk and take genuine responsibility by resigning from the Missouri House of Representatives. LaFaver has broken trust with the people by behaving with direct and open disrespect for the law and courts,” said Matt Wills, spokesman for Missouri Republican Party.
House Minority Leader Jake Hummel (D-St. Louis) has issued a statement, saying, “Representative LaFaver’s actions were unfortunate and he will face consequences as a result. One of those consequences is that he has resigned as chairman of the House Democratic Victory Committee, and I accepted his resignation.”
House Minority Leader Jake Hummel
D-St. Louis.
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Kansas City state representative arrested on marijuana charges
Some Missouri Democrats say Rep. Jeremy LaFaver (D-Kansas City) might lose his seat in the state legislator if charges of marijuana possession stick.
The Highway Patrol reports LaFaver was stopped in Boone County for failing to show up for traffic court in Moniteau County on charges of driving with expired plates and driving without insurance. During the stop, troopers found a marijuana pipe and a small quantity of marijuana.
LaFaver has issued the following statement:
“I made a serious mistake, I apologize for it, and I am prepared to face the consequences of my behavior,” he says. “I want to stress that I was not operating under the influence.”
“I deeply regret the embarrassment I have caused my family and the people of the 25th District by this incident,” he says. “I want to assure my constituents that I have received no special considerations, nor do I expect to be treated any differently than any other citizen in my situation.”
LaFaver was unsuccessful in passing a bill he sponsored this year that would have lowered penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. He was elected to his first two-year term in November 2012.
