DES MOINES – Amidst the state’s growing budget crisis, Gov. Reynolds stands by her decision to use $2.2 million of Iowa’s general funds to pay for damages owed after a sexual harassment lawsuit against Iowa Senate Republicans. In response, candidate for governor, Dr. Andy McGuire issued the following statement:
“After helping to create a projected $350 million budget shortfall, Gov. Reynolds is forcing taxpayers to pay for a $2.2 million sexual harassment lawsuit. That’s just wrong. Iowa Republicans and the Branstad/Reynolds administration have mismanaged Iowa’s budget for years with corporate tax giveaways and alliances with special interest groups. Now, she’s asking hard-working Iowans for money to bail out her fellow Republicans. How about some common sense. The politicians who committed the wrong, should pay for their misdeeds — rather than sticking it to Iowa taxpayers.”
“Gov. Reynolds said this morning at her weekly press conference that there is money in Iowa’s budget to meet this ‘obligation’. Gov. Reynolds and I disagree on the definition of the obligations of Iowa taxpayers. Iowans are not obligated to foot the bill for politicians’ misconduct. The entire state should not have to pay for the Iowa Senate Republicans and their bad behavior. That’s $2.2 million dollars that could be used to combat Iowa’s growing mental health crisis or fund our schools. By using money from the general funds to pay for a lawsuit settlement not only sets a dangerous precedent, it sends a clear message to Iowans. Gov. Reynolds cares more about winning elections and cleaning up the mess within her own party than what is in the best interests of everyday Iowans.
“I believe in putting people and principles above party. That’s the kind of governor I want to be, and that’s the kind of governor Iowans deserve.”
Background: Last month, former Iowa Senate Republican caucus staffer, Kirsten Anderson was awarded $2.2 million in damages after winning a lawsuit that exposed sexual harassment and misconduct within the Iowa Senate Republican caucus. Shortly after the decision, Gov. Reynolds confirmed that the $2.2. million dollars would be paid with Iowa’s general funds, i.e. taxpayers.
***McGuire was born in Waterloo, Iowa – the daughter of a World War II veteran and a hard-working mother in a family of eight. McGuire is the mother of seven children and raised a family while training to be a doctor. As a medical director, she focused on preventive care, including vaccinations and prenatal checks.***
