ST. PAUL, Minn. — Top Minnesota Democrats are calling for a GOP state legislator to suspend his re-election campaign and for Republicans to expel him from their caucus following a report detailing domestic abuse allegations.
The move comes after the Minnesota Star Tribune published previously unreported court filings detailing several accusations against Rep. Jeff Dotseth, R-Kettle River, who is seeking a second term in the legislature.
In 2008, Dotseth was arrested and charged with misdemeanor domestic assault and he later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of disorderly conduct. In a sworn affidavit by his ex-wife when filing for divorce, she detailed years of alleged abuse, according to the newspaper, including that he allegedly kicked and choked her in one incident and in another, pinned her against a wall.
The Star Tribune also reported that her son in his own sworn affidavit said he had been hurt in violent incidents, too.