North Dakota Republican leaders name on state rep to resign after slurs to police throughout DUI cease

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Republican leaders have known as on a North Dakota lawmaker to resign after he lashed out at police with homophobic and anti-migrant remarks during a traffic stop earlier this month by which he was arrested for drunken driving.

Republican Home Majority Chief Mike Lefor stated Tuesday he known as on Republican state Rep. Nico Rios, of Williston, to resign over the weekend. His assertion cited a police officer’s report of Rios being “verbally abusive, homophobic, racially abusive and discriminatory” towards him “for your entire length of the incident following street facet testing.” Lefor additionally stated Rios tried to make use of his place as a lawmaker to intimidate police and keep away from an arrest.

“There is no such thing as a room within the legislature, or our celebration, for this habits. I perceive individuals make errors, however his feedback and defiance to legislation enforcement are past the pale. As well as, any lawmaker making an attempt to make use of his or her elected place to threaten anybody or skirt the legislation is totally unacceptable,” Lefor stated in an announcement.

Rios didn’t instantly reply to an electronic mail for remark. His legal professional didn’t instantly reply to a telephone message.

In earlier feedback, Rios stated his habits towards the police was unacceptable, that he was sorry and vowed “to verify this by no means occurs once more.”

North Dakota Republican Occasion Chairwoman Sandi Sanford joined Lefor, saying, “Rep. Rios’ actions and phrases fall in need of the essential decency we anticipate from any of our neighbors. He endangered the neighborhood he was elected to serve and disrespected peace officers. This violates our core values as Republicans.”

Police physique digital camera footage requested by and offered to The Related Press exhibits Rios cursing the officer, questioning his English accent, and utilizing homophobic slurs and anti-migrant language. He additionally stated he would name the North Dakota legal professional normal in regards to the scenario. He instructed the officers they’d “remorse choosing on me since you don’t know who … I’m.” Discussion board Information Service first reported on Rios’ feedback.

Rios stated he was leaving a Christmas celebration earlier than the Dec. 15 visitors cease. He was charged with misdemeanor counts of drunken driving and refusing to offer a chemical check. He’s scheduled for a pretrial convention on Feb. 5 in municipal court docket.

Rios, who works in an oil discipline place concerned within the hydraulic fracturing of wells, was elected in 2022 to the state Home of Representatives. He sits on the Home Judiciary Committee, a panel that handles legislation enforcement laws.

Republicans management the North Dakota Home, 82-12.