Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has forced out the leader of the state's Democratic Party after newspaper columnist criticized him for not supporting and protecting women from sexual harassment and sexual assault in the workplace.
Democratic Party Chairman Marcel Groen announced in an emailed letter Friday he was stepping down as state party leader at Wolf's request.
"I have always believed that the commonwealth's chief executive should have final say on whom the chairman of the party should be," Groen wrote.
"The governor's staff informed me that he no longer wants me to serve as chairman of the party. While I have done no wrong and disagree with the governor's assessment, I do not wish to be a distraction to a party that has to rectify gerrymandered maps and elect strong and civically responsible candidates throughout Pennsylvania. As such, I will honor his request and will immediately resign my position as party chair."
On Tueday, Philadelphia Inquirer/Daily News columnist Will Bunch wrote a scathing column accusing Groen of having a laissez-faire attitude toward the #MeToo and #Timesup movements that seek to end unwanted sexual harassment and assault in the workplace.
Bunch wrote that Groen has shown an unwillingness to hold elected officials accountable for using taxpayer money to settle harrasment-related legal claims, specifically noting that state Sen. Daylin Leach and and state Rep. Thomas Caltagirone have been accused of misconduct and still plan to be on the ballot as Democrats.
He also claimed Groen has dragged his feet in devising workplace safety rules for party functions.
Bunch quoted the 72-year-old Groen as saying: "The governor is already pissed off at me."
On Friday, Wolf ordered Groen terminated.
Here is a full copy of Groen's resignation letter:
Dear State Committee Members;
I accept full responsibility for comments attributed to me in an article printed several days ago in The Philadelphia Inquirer by Will Bunch. Some of my comments were taken out of context and some were inaccurate. They were certainly in artful and in hindsight were not offered with the level of clarity I would have liked.
I have been involved in Democratic politics for 47 years. I am proud of my record in helping build a party and political infrastructure, first in Montgomery County, and for the last two and a half years throughout the Commonwealth. I have met with wonderful Democratic Committee members, elected officials and activists in every county of the state, I am proud of helping women run, win and serve in government. I am especially proud that I was instrumental in helping four women win seats on our Appellate Court this year, including the first African American woman to serve on the Superior Court. On both the County and State levels, I have always sought to foster a party that is inclusive and tolerant. I am proud of our accomplishments as a party and community.
I have always believed that the Commonwealth's Chief Executive should have final say on whom the Chairman of the Party should be. The Governor's staff informed me that he no longer wants me to serve as Chairman of the Party. While I have done no wrong and disagree with the Governor's assessment, I do not wish to be a distraction to a Party that has to rectify gerrymandered maps and elect strong and civically responsible candidates throughout Pennsylvania. As such, I will honor his request and will immediately resign my position as Party Chair.
I came to this Country by boat, when I was only ten years old. I spoke no English and was raised by parents who endured the Holocaust, and continued to suffer from the effects of tyranny and hate the remainder of their lives. That formed my convictions and my values. I have always believed in the strength of our country and the values of our institutions to fight that hate and instead work to our best inclinations. In this time of division, I feel more strongly than ever that united fronts will serve our greater good in the legislative and social battles to come. I look forward to assisting our many fine candidates and public servants in the weeks, months, and years to come.
I am honored to have served as Chairman of the Democratic Party and thank the State Committee members, elected officials and many others with whom I have come in contact. I wish all of you success not only this year, but in the years to come.
(c)2018 The Morning Call (Allentown, Pa.)
