Utah Senate Democrats call for Sen. Riebe to resign after harassment, discrimination investigation

Utah Senate Democrats issued a news release Tuesday evening — less than an hour before polls closed on Election Day — announcing they voted to remove Sen. Kathleen Riebe from their caucus, and calling for her resignation. 

Riebe’s expulsion comes after “the findings from a formal, independent investigation were released in response to an official complaint alleging workplace discrimination and harassment,” according to the news release. 

A Senate spokesperson declined to release the investigation’s report.

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“To protect the confidentiality of those involved, the Senate will not comment on further specific details of the investigation,” the spokesperson said in a text to Utah News Dispatch. 

Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, did not immediately respond to requests for comment. She did not attend the Utah Democrats’ election night watch party in Salt Lake City. 

The investigation alleges Riebe’s behavior as a senator goes against the caucus’ values. 

“The independent investigation concluded a pattern of conduct towards others that was likely motivated by race, national origin, or ethnicity,” the release said. “It also revealed statements concerning employment decisions involving individuals based on their sexual orientation or other protected characteristics.”

Earlier this year, Riebe ran for Congress in Utah’s newly drawn 1st Congressional District before dropping out to endorse Ben McAdams. Her term in the Utah Senate is set to end Jan. 1, 2029.

The joint statement calling on Riebe to resign was released by Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, Minority Whip Karen Kwan, Sen. Jen Plumb, Sen. Stephanie Pitcher and Sen. Nate Blouin.

“Our caucus has worked tirelessly to advance policies that promote diversity, respect, and belonging. We have fought to uphold every person’s dignity and protect against all forms of discrimination,” the release said. “We expect elected officials to uphold both the law and this institution’s standards. No elected official or leader is above accountability.”