ST. PAUL, Minn. — On Wednesday, March 19, Senator Justin Eichorn (R-Grand Rapids) was charged in federal court for soliciting a minor for sex.
Senator Erin Maye Quade (DFL-Apple Valley) releases the following statement:
“I am horrified and disgusted by the allegations that Justin Eichorn arranged to pay for sex with a child. I thank God there was no child involved in this arrest, but that does not mean there are no victims. If there are any other children he may have abused — in his community and in his time at the Capitol — I pray they are safe and receive justice for the abuse they endured.
Republican lawmakers in Minnesota and across the U.S. have tried to call themselves defenders of women, girls and children. They have slandered the LGBTQ community, falsely accusing us of being ‘groomers’ and ‘pedophiles.’ These accusations are baseless and dangerous. The party spreading these lies should take a hard look at the individuals they associate with — and confront the real predators in their own rank.
I have never called for a member’s resignation before. Not when I was sexually harassed by my colleagues; not when members pleaded guilty to driving under the influence; not when they stole money from their donors for personal gain; and not when they were charged with property crimes. I am appalled by the attempts to conflate Eichorn’s alleged crimes with anything else a member has done. Every reasonable person knows the difference between those acts and the solicitation of a minor. Justin Eichorn should resign from the jail cell where he thankfully resides as soon as humanly possible.”
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Learn more about Sen. Maye Quade.
