Rep. Bryan Slaton has resigned from the Texas House of Representatives. Slaton made the announcement today amid pressure from many of his fellow Republicans to step down.
A Texas House internal investigation found that Slaton had an inappropriate sexual relationship with a 19-year-old woman on his staff. The investigation found Slaton also provided alcohol for the staffer on the night of the incident, which happened at Slaton’s apartment in Austin.
On Saturday, the House General Investigative Committee released a 16-page report detailing the investigation. The committee, composed of three Republicans and two Democrats, recommended that Slaton be the first lawmaker expelled from the House since 1927.
The committee is led by Republican State Rep. Andrew Murr of Junction. Today, Murr said he still intends to introduce a resolution that Slaton be expelled. Under Texas law, despite the resignation, Slaton continues to be an officer of the state until a successor is elected.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott must now call a special election to replace Slaton. However, that election can not be scheduled until after the current legislative session ends on Memorial Day.
The House report said Slaton had invited the 19-year-old woman to his apartment and gave her a large cup of rum and coke, then refilled it twice. The woman reported she felt dizzy and had double vision.
Slaton’s Texas House District 2 includes Hunt, Hopkins and Van Zandt counties. Slaton had held the office since 2012. He defeated longtime state representative Dan Flynn in a Republican Party primary runoff election in 2020.