The Texas House of Representatives unanimously voted May 9 to expel Rep. Bryan Slaton, a former Southern Baptist minister, for alleged inappropriate sexual conduct with a 19-year-old female aide.
Slaton, R-Royse City, is the first member of the House of Representatives to be removed from office by his colleagues since 1927.
On Saturday, the House General Investigative Committee released its report into allegations against Slaton and recommended his expulsion.
Rep. Andrew Murr, R-Junction, chair of the investigative committee, said Slaton provided an under-age aide alcohol and engaged in inappropriate sexual contact. Subsequently, Slaton tried to influence the testimony of the aide and other witnesses, Murr said.
Prior to the House vote, Slaton had submitted a letter of resignation to Gov. Greg Abbott and Steven Brown, chief clerk of the House, on May 8.
“It has been an honor to represent my friends, neighbors and the great people and communities of House District 2. They voted overwhelmingly to send me to the Capitol as their representative in two elections, and I worked daily to meet their expectations. My decision today is to ensure that their expectations will continue to be met by a new representative who will also work hard on their behalf,” Slaton wrote in the letter of resignation.
“I look forward to spending more time with my young family, and will continue to find ways to serve my community and all citizens across our great state.”
However, the House proceeded to expel Slaton, voting 147-0 in favor of HJR 1542.
“Though Representative Slaton has submitted his resignation from office, under Texas law he is considered to be an officer of this state until a successor is elected and takes the oath of office to represent Texas House District 2,” Murr said in a prepared statement released on social media.
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Expelling Slaton was necessary to protect “the dignity and integrity” of the Texas Legislature, Murr said.
According to a complaint filed last month, Slaton and the 19-year-old aide were in his Austin apartment April 1 when he gave her alcohol and subsequently had sex with her after she was intoxicated.
No one answered the telephone in Slaton’s Austin office on May 9. The Baptist Standard left a message requesting comment but did not receive a response.
According to Slaton’s website, he served 13 years as a youth minister and family minister. He is a graduate of Ouachita Baptist University, where he earned an undergraduate degree in youth ministry and speech communication, and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree.
Slaton campaigned as a proponent of “family values” who pledged to “protect the institution of marriage.” On his website, he describes himself as “a bold and brave Christian-Conservative.”
In the Texas House, he supported efforts to make abortion a capital offense, called for a statewide ban on drag shows and opposed expanding the rights of LGBTQ citizens.
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