Jevin Hodge at his Feb. 2, 2024, swearing in at the Arizona House of Representatives. Photo by Gage Skidmore (modified) | Flickr/CC BY-SA 2.0
Democratic Rep. Jevin Hodge resigned Tuesday, a day after the The Arizona Republic reported that he had violated George Washington University’s sexual violence and misconduct policies.
The Arizona Republic report had found that Hodge, who was recently appointed to the legislature, was suspended from the university and banned from campus in 2015 after a woman told the school’s Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities that a consensual sexual encounter turned into “unwelcome sexual contact.”
Hodge issued a statement Monday after the news broke that he “unequivocally” denies the allegations against him. He has previously run for Congress as well as the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
Democratic leaders in the Arizona House of Representatives announced Hodge’s resignation early Tuesday.
“We have accepted Representative Hodge’s resignation, which he offered in good faith and out of respect for our caucus, and we are prepared to move forward with the important business of the state,” the Democratic leaders said in a written statement.
Hours after that announcement, Hodge released a statement in which he denied the allegations, but also said it was clear that he should not serve as a state legislator.
“Public service means knowing when to lead — and it also means knowing when to step aside,” he said. “As I said yesterday, I unequivocally deny the allegations made against me. However, now is not my time to lead.”
On Monday, after the Republic’s reporting, Hodge abruptly cancelled a planned appearance at Arizona State University, according to The State Press, the university’s student newspaper.
Hodge took office in February, when he replaced Rep. Athena Salman, who resigned to pursue a position as the director of Arizona campaigns for the group Reproductive Freedom for All.
The resignation comes as Democratic lawmakers have seen a wave of lawmakers leaving the Capitol to either run for office or take new positions. Fve Democratic lawmakers have resigned so far this year, and Democratic Rep. Laura Terech announced Monday that she will not be running for reelection.
It also marks the second scandal for Democratic lawmakers this year. Former lawmaker Leezah Sun resigned amid an ethics investigation initiated by Democratic leaders as she was likely facing an expulsion vote in the House.
The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will choose a replacement from candidates sent to them by Legislative District 8 Democrats.
***UPDATED: This story has been updated to include a statement from Jevin Hodge.
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