147 State Lawmakers Accused of Misconduct Across 44 States Since 2017

Since the #MeToo movement gained traction in 2017, at least 147 state lawmakers across 44 states have faced allegations of sexual harassment or misconduct, with many resigning or facing repercussions. Despite a marked increase in women's representation in state legislatures, lawmakers, including Virginia's Jackie Glass, express concerns that little has changed regarding the culture of misconduct. The Associated Press reports that allegations have continued to surface, with 2024 seeing approximately twice the number of accused lawmakers compared to the previous year. The findings reveal that while policies against sexual misconduct have been adopted or enhanced, transparency remains an issue. Both Republican and Democratic lawmakers have been implicated, with men constituting 94% of those accused. As states grapple with these issues, questions persist about how to ensure the safety of women in legislative roles.