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Rep. Kelly Townsend calls on Don Shooter to resign from Arizona House

Tuesday, House Speaker J.D. Mesnard called for a formal censure of Shooter after a sexual harassment investigation.
Arizona State Rep. Don Shooter made sexually inappropriate comments to Arizona Republic and azcentral.com president and publisher Mi-Ai Parrish in March 2016. Parrish detailed these comments in a column on Nov. 10, 2017.

PHOENIX (AP) - A top leader in the Arizona House is calling on a fellow Republican to resign she will move to have him expelled in the wake of a report that found he engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment.

Wednesday's move by House Majority Leader Kelly Townsend ups the stakes for Republican Rep. Don Shooter.

EARLIER: Shooter removed from all committees after sexual harassment probe

The move runs counter to GOP House Speaker J.D. Mesnard's call for a formal censure but not expulsion. That vote is set for Thursday. Townsend says she'll move instead for expulsion.

Expulsion requires 40 of 60 House members to vote yes, while a censure requires a simple majority. Republicans controlling 36 seats appear split on how to deal with Shooter. Democrats would likely back expulsion.

Shooter was absent Wednesday and didn't return a call seeking comment.

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