Despite More Requests for Resignation, Gauthier Still Silent
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Photojournalist:
DULUTH - Leaders of both parties in the Minnesota House of Representatives have now asked Rep. Kerry Gauthier to step down from his house seat after his sexual encounter with a 17–year–old boy became public.
The representative was at his Duluth home Monday after spending several days in the hospital.
However, he has not made a statement responding to the recent requests.
When we walked up to Rep. Gauthier's home Monday, we were greeted by his mother who lives in the downstairs unit.
"No comment," she said immediately.
After explaining FOX 21's unsuccessful attempts to get in contact with her son, she agreed to go inside to confirm that he still would not come outside to make a statement regarding his campaign.
The requests for a comment come on a day of more developments.
In addition to the House Majority Leader calling for Gauthier's resignation last week, on Monday DFL House Minority Leader Paul Thissen asked for him to step aside and called his actions at the Thompson Hill rest stop "wrong."
The DFL party chair also released a statement Monday asking Gauthier not to seek re–election and said the recent incident was "inexcusable."
"No, he will not speak with you," Gauthier's mother said after coming back outside.
Gauthier's mother did say her son was doing well since being home from the hospital, but stayed adamant that a statement on his political status would not be made Monday.
When asked about her thoughts if her son would continue to seek re-election, she said "I imagine he will run."
"He likes it," she continued to say. "And he does his job well."
In addition to Duluth city councilor Jay Fosle, who said last week that he will attempt to run for the DFL candidate in Gauthier’s place, Duluth firefighter Erik Simonson announced Monday he will do the same.
Ballots for the race are already in place, meaning newcomers would have to run as a write-in candidate.
Gauthier still held his DFL party endorsement Monday and will continue to until local senate district leaders meet to decide their plan of action.
