Bryan Slaton has been expelled from the Texas House of Representatives. The House voted unanimously to oust the Royce City Republican – 147 to 0. Slaton is the first member of the Texas legislature to be removed since 1927.
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.
Slaton resigned from his post on Monday, but according to state policy, Slaton remained entitled to his House salary and per diem. Slaton also would have continued to sit on assigned committees and count toward establishing a working quorum of the House.
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.
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 expelled.
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.
The bipartisan committee also said Slaton tried to obstruct their investigation, including by what they described as intimidation tactics against the aide and other witnesses. Five members of Slaton's staff also refused to be interviewed by the committee.
Slaton’s Texas House District 2 includes Hunt, Hopkins and Van Zandt counties. Slaton had held the office since 2021. He defeated longtime state representative Dan Flynn in a Republican Party primary runoff election in 2020.