{{Short description|American politician}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Steve Lebsock | image = Steve Lebsock.JPG | state_house = Colorado | district = 34th | term_start = January 9, 2013 | term_end = March 2, 2018 | predecessor = John Soper | successor = Alexander Winkler | birth_name = | birth_date = | birth_place = Sterling, Colorado, U.S. | death_date = | death_place = | party = Democratic (until 2018) <br/> Republican (since 2018) | spouse = Nina | children = 3 | education = Metropolitan State University of Denver (BA) | signature = | allegiance = {{flag|United States|1960}} | branch = United States Marine Corps | service_years = 1988-1991 }}
'''Steve Lebsock''' is an American politician who served in the Colorado House of Representatives from the 34th district as a member of the Democratic and Republican parties from 2013 until his expulsion in 2018. Prior to his tenure in the state house he served on the city council in Thornton, Colorado from 2003 to 2011.
Lebsock was born in Sterling, Colorado, and educated at Westminster High School and the Metropolitan State University of Denver. He was in the United States Marine Corps for three years and served on the Thornton city council for eight years. Lebsock was elected to the state house in the 2012 election and reelected in the 2014 and 2016 elections. He became the chair of the Local Government committee.
During his campaign for Colorado State Treasurer he was accused by multiple women, including Representative Faith Winter, of sexual harassment and became the first member of the state house expelled since William W. Howland's expulsion in 1915. A petition calling for his resignation received over 50,000 signatures while Lebsock claimed that he was being blackmailed and extorted by the allegations. He left the Democratic caucus before joining the Republican Party and Alexander Winkler was appointed to replace him.
==Early life and education==
Steve Lebsock was born in Sterling, Colorado, and married Nina, with whom he had three children. He graduated from Westminster High School. He served in the United States Marine Corps from 1988 to 1991. In 1998, he graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver with a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology. He served on the city council in Thornton, Colorado from 2003 to 2011, and as the mayor pro tempore from 2007 to 2009.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Steve Lebsock's Biography |work=Vote Smart |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/71795/steve-lebsock |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205113558/https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/biography/71795/steve-lebsock |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=About Steve Lebsock |work=Steve Lebsock |url=https://www.stevelebsockforcolorado.com/about/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033843/https://www.stevelebsockforcolorado.com/about/#bio |archive-date=December 1, 2017}}</ref>
==Career== ===Colorado House of Representatives===
Lebsock received the Democratic nomination to run for a seat in the Colorado House of Representatives from the 34th district in the 2012 election and defeated Republican nominee Jodina B. Widhalm in the general election.<ref name="primary 2012">{{Cite news |title=2012 Primary Election Results - Democratic Party Ballot |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2012/primary/democratic/stateReps.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205112119/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2012/primary/democratic/stateReps.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref><ref name="election 2012">{{Cite news |title=2012 General Election Results |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2012/general/representatives.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205112225/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2012/general/representatives.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref> He defeated Republican nominee Alexander Winkler in the 2014 election.<ref name="primary 2014">{{Cite news |title=2014 Primary Election Results - Democratic Party Ballot |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2014/primary/democratic/stateReps.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205112428/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2014/primary/democratic/stateReps.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref><ref name="election 2014">{{Cite news |title=2014 General Election Results |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2014/general/representatives.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205112516/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2014/general/representatives.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref> He defeated Republican nominee Dustin Johnson and Green Party nominee Jenice Dove in the 2016 election.<ref name="primary 2016">{{Cite news |title=2016 Primary Election Results - Democratic Party Ballot |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2016/primary/democratic/stateRepresentatives.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116194713/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2016/primary/democratic/stateRepresentatives.html |archive-date=January 16, 2022}}</ref><ref name="election 2016">{{Cite news |title=2016 General Election Results |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2016/general/stateRepresentatives.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205112715/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2016/general/stateRepresentatives.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref>
Walker Stapleton, the incumbent Republican State Treasurer, was term-limited in the 2018 election. Lebsock announced on March 25, 2017, that he would run for the Democratic nomination for state treasurer.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 25, 2017 |title=Adams County Democrat Steve Lebsock announces he's running for state treasurer |work=Colorado Politics |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/adams-county-democrat-steve-lebsock-announces-hes-running-for-state-treasurer/article_8c356446-0418-53f8-ab06-ad32904e0ee3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205105346/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/adams-county-democrat-steve-lebsock-announces-hes-running-for-state-treasurer/article_8c356446-0418-53f8-ab06-ad32904e0ee3.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref> He stated that he would petition his way onto the primary ballot during the sexual harassment investigation into him, but he was later unable to run for the office after switching his political affiliation due to him not being a Republican long enough.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 16, 2018 |title=Steve Lebsock plans to petition onto Democratic primary ballot in state treasurer race |work=Colorado Politics |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/steve-lebsock-plans-to-petition-onto-democratic-primary-ballot-in-state-treasurer-race/article_0991e4b3-18fe-5e09-8cdb-ebc116560384.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205110801/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/steve-lebsock-plans-to-petition-onto-democratic-primary-ballot-in-state-treasurer-race/article_0991e4b3-18fe-5e09-8cdb-ebc116560384.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 4, 2018 |title=Former Rep. Steve Lebsock's decision to join GOP likely expels him from treasurer's race |work=Colorado Politics |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/former-rep-steve-lebsocks-decision-to-join-gop-likely-expels-him-from-treasurers-race/article_51f3ab6e-71ee-5362-94be-59a070f0e4c3.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205190853/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/former-rep-steve-lebsocks-decision-to-join-gop-likely-expels-him-from-treasurers-race/article_51f3ab6e-71ee-5362-94be-59a070f0e4c3.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref>
===Expulsion===
Representative Faith Winter and four other women made a total of eleven sexual harassment allegations against Lebsock that were found credible. He denied the allegations in a twenty-eight page letter to other members of the state house, in a YouTube video, and also took a lie detector test. Governor John Hickenlooper and Speaker Crisanta Duran called for him to resign.<ref name="remove">{{Cite news |date=February 27, 2018 |title=Colorado House Could Expel Rep. Lebsock For Credible Sexual Harassment Allegations |work=KUNC |url=https://www.kunc.org/politics/2018-02-27/colorado-house-could-expel-rep-lebsock-for-credible-sexual-harassment-allegations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205100917/https://www.kunc.org/politics/2018-02-27/colorado-house-could-expel-rep-lebsock-for-credible-sexual-harassment-allegations |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref><ref name="remove2">{{Cite news |date=March 1, 2018 |title=Rep. Lebsock Predicts 'My Colleagues Are Not Going To Expel Me' |work=KUNC |url=https://www.kunc.org/politics/2018-03-01/rep-lebsock-predicts-my-colleagues-are-not-going-to-expel-me |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205100530/https://www.kunc.org/politics/2018-03-01/rep-lebsock-predicts-my-colleagues-are-not-going-to-expel-me |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref><ref name="remove3">{{Cite news |date=December 1, 2017 |title=State Lawmaker To Introduce Legislation To Remove Rep. Lebsock Over Sexual Harassment Allegations |work=KUNC |url=https://www.kunc.org/politics/2017-12-01/state-lawmaker-to-introduce-legislation-to-remove-rep-lebsock-over-sexual-harassment-allegations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509131206/https://www.kunc.org/politics/2017-12-01/state-lawmaker-to-introduce-legislation-to-remove-rep-lebsock-over-sexual-harassment-allegations |archive-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref> He claimed that the allegations were "about blackmail and coercion and extortion" in an attempt to get him to resign and accused the Democrats of betraying him. Lebsock served as the chair of the Local Government committee, but was temporarily removed during the investigation into the allegations.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 14, 2017 |title=Rep. Lebsock Alleges He Is Being Blackmailed, Harassed Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations |work=KUNC |url=https://www.kunc.org/politics/2017-11-14/rep-lebsock-alleges-he-is-being-blackmailed-harassed-following-sexual-misconduct-allegations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509142123/https://www.kunc.org/politics/2017-11-14/rep-lebsock-alleges-he-is-being-blackmailed-harassed-following-sexual-misconduct-allegations |archive-date=May 9, 2021}}</ref> A petition calling for his resignation received over 50,000 signatures, but he stated on November 28, 2017, that he would not resign.<ref>{{Cite news |date=November 29, 2017 |title=Rep. Steve Lebsock Says He Won't Resign |work=Colorado Public Radio |url=https://www.cpr.org/2017/11/29/rep-steve-lebsock-says-he-wont-resign/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613092108/https://www.cpr.org/2017/11/29/rep-steve-lebsock-says-he-wont-resign/ |archive-date=June 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=February 28, 2018 |title="I Need a F*ck Buddy": The Case Against Representative Steve Lebsock |work=Westword |url=https://www.westword.com/news/representative-steve-lebsock-sexual-harassment-investigation-10039210 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205104312/https://www.westword.com/news/representative-steve-lebsock-sexual-harassment-investigation-10039210 |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref>
Representative KC Becker introduced the resolution to expel Lebsock on February 27, 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 27, 2018 |title=Lawmakers Move Toward Rep. Steve Lebsock Expulsion |work=KCNC-TV |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2018/02/27/lawmakers-steve-lebsock-expulsion/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181207184904/https://denver.cbslocal.com/2018/02/27/lawmakers-steve-lebsock-expulsion/ |archive-date=December 7, 2018}}</ref> Lebsock stated that "my colleagues are not going to expel me", but the two-thirds majority required for expulsion was fulfilled by a fifty-two to nine vote on March 2 which found him guilty.<ref name="remove2" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 2, 2018 |title=Emotions Run High As Lebsock Is Expelled Over Sex Misconduct Allegations |work=KCNC-TV |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2018/03/02/emotions-run-high-as-lebsock-is-expelled-over-sex-misconduct-allegations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205102709/https://denver.cbslocal.com/2018/03/02/emotions-run-high-as-lebsock-is-expelled-over-sex-misconduct-allegations/ |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref> Representative Yeulin Willett stated that he did not believe that Lebsock's behavior warranted an expulsion. Lebsock became the first member of the state house to be expelled since William Howland was expelled for perjury during a bribery investigation in 1915.<ref name="remove" /><ref name="remove3" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 2, 2018 |title=Steve Lebsock Gets the Boot |work=Westword |url=https://www.westword.com/news/thornton-democrat-steve-lebsock-expelled-from-house-for-alleged-sexual-harassment-10049948 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205095926/https://www.westword.com/news/thornton-democrat-steve-lebsock-expelled-from-house-for-alleged-sexual-harassment-10049948 |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref>
Lebsock stated that he would not caucus with the Democrats in the 2018 session and later changed his political affiliation to Republican on March 2, which allowed the Republicans to appoint his successor.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 10, 2018 |title=State Rep. Steve Lebsock says he won't caucus with fellow Democrats |work=Colorado Politics |url=https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/state-rep-steve-lebsock-says-he-wont-caucus-with-fellow-democrats/article_c41cb773-93e9-5217-a1d8-63dc38a18aeb.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210505013244/https://www.coloradopolitics.com/news/state-rep-steve-lebsock-says-he-wont-caucus-with-fellow-democrats/article_c41cb773-93e9-5217-a1d8-63dc38a18aeb.html |archive-date=May 5, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=March 9, 2018 |title=Colorado GOP To Appoint Lebsock Replacement |work=KCNC-TV |url=https://denver.cbslocal.com/2018/03/09/colorado-gop-lebsock-replacement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514180512/http://denver.cbslocal.com/2018/03/09/colorado-gop-lebsock-replacement/ |archive-date=May 14, 2018}}</ref>
The Republican vacancy committee voted on March 23, to appoint Winkler to fill Lebsock's seat against Casey Cole with Winkler receiving twelve votes to Cole's eleven votes.<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 23, 2018 |title=GOP leaps on chance to appoint Alex Winkler to Colorado legislature after expelled former Democratic Rep. Steve Lebsock's party switch |work=The Denver Post |url=https://www.denverpost.com/2018/03/23/skinny-winkler-steve-lebsock-replacement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205105710/https://www.denverpost.com/2018/03/23/skinny-winkler-steve-lebsock-replacement/ |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref> Democratic nominee Kyle Mullica defeated Winkler in the 2018 election.<ref>{{Cite news |title=2018 General Election Results |work=Secretary of State of Colorado |url=https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2018/general/stateRepresentatives.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220205112858/https://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/Results/Abstract/2018/general/stateRepresentatives.html |archive-date=February 5, 2022}}</ref>
==Electoral history==
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2012 Colorado House of Representatives 34th district election<ref name="primary 2012" /><ref name="election 2012" />}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Lebsock |votes = 2,577 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 2,577 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Lebsock |votes = 16,944 |percentage = 60.61% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Jodina B. Widhalm |votes = 11,014 |percentage = 39.39% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 27,958 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2014 Colorado House of Representatives 34th district election<ref name="primary 2014" /><ref name="election 2014" />}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Lebsock (incumbent) |votes = 2,629 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 2,629 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Lebsock (incumbent) |votes = 11,146 |percentage = 54.88% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Alexander Winkler |votes = 9,164 |percentage = 45.12% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 20,310 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
{{Election box open primary begin no change|title = 2016 Colorado House of Representatives 34th district election<ref name="primary 2016" /><ref name="election 2016" />}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Lebsock (incumbent) |votes = 2,901 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 2,901 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box open primary general election no change}} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change |party = Democratic Party (United States) |candidate = Steve Lebsock (incumbent) |votes = 14,865 |percentage = 50.00% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Republican Party (United States) |candidate = Dustin Johnson |votes = 13,061 |percentage = 43.94% }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change |party = Green Party of the United States |candidate = Jenice Dove |votes = 1,802 |percentage = 6.06% }} {{Election box total no change |votes = 29,728 |percentage = 100.00% }} {{Election box end}}
==See also== *List of American politicians who switched parties in office
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[https://www.stevelebsockforcolorado.com/ Campaign website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180119074636/https://www.stevelebsockforcolorado.com/#homepage |date=January 19, 2018}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20160928032846/http://leg.colorado.gov/legislators/steve-lebsock Legislative website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lebsock, Steve}} Category:Living people Category:Democratic Party members of the Colorado House of Representatives Category:Republican Party members of the Colorado House of Representatives Category:People from Sterling, Colorado Category:Expelled members of the Colorado General Assembly Category:Year of birth missing (living people) Category:Colorado politicians convicted of crimes Category:21st-century members of the Colorado General Assembly Category:Metropolitan State University of Denver alumni Category:20th-century United States Marines