PHOENIX — The head of the state Democratic Party and the top House Democrat called on Tucson Rep. Daniel Patterson today to step down in the face of allegations of a domestic dispute with his girlfriend.
But Patterson said he’s not going anywhere. And he said the comments by his party’s officials are “cutthroat politics” and said they have a “lynching mob mentality,” more interested in the Democratic political agenda than in his protestations of innocence.
The dust-up follows what Patterson acknowledged was a dispute between him and his girlfriend, one that resulted in him kicking her out of his house.
Patterson said he was interviewed by Tucson police officers.
“I have not be charged with any crime,” he said. And Patterson said he has not been served with any legal papers.
People are also reading…
He said he is being blackmailed.
“She’s demanded money and I don’t owe her any money,” Patterson. “My lawyer is dealing with it.”
House Minority Leader Chad Campbell said all that may be true. But he said that’s irrelevant.
“The ongoing issues, the ongoing distractions I think are just too much,” Campbell said.
“They’re preventing, I think, Mr. Patterson and the caucus to do the work of the people, which is why we're elected,” he continued. “I think it’s in his best interests as well as the people of the state that he step down and maybe work on some of the personal issues he’s going through and make sure everything’s right in that house and deal with the legal system, as it were, if necessary.”
Separately, Luis Heredia, executive director of the Arizona Democratic Party, put out a statement saying that the legal issues Patterson faces “render him unable to fully serve the voters of Legislative District 29.”
Patterson said that’s not true, saying he can do his job at the Capitol, “especially once my lawyer clears up these frivolous allegations.” And he lashed out at both Campbell and Heredia.
“I’m entitled to due process,” Patterson said. “And for politicians to rush to judgment to try to throw somebody under the bus is disturbing.”
He also said that it’s wrong for party leaders in Phoenix to pass judgment on how well he can represent his Tucson district.
“If this is the way the Democratic Party in Phoenix is going to treat their members, just in this knee-jerk reaction, perhaps I’ll become an independent,” Patterson said. “I’m not going to back down.”
Campbell, however, said the call is justified.
