Supermajority of Senate Calls on Windy Boy to Resign

HELENA, Mont.— A bipartisan supermajority of Montana state senators sent a letter yesterday to Sen. Jonathan Windy Boy, D-Box Elder, requesting that he resign from his position in the Senate following multiple sexual harassment and abuse allegations dating back decades.

The letter, signed by 39 Republican and Democratic state senators, follows Windy Boy’s removal from committees earlier this month and repeated urging from Senate President Matt Regier, R-Kalispell, and Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers, D-Bozeman, to resign.

The letter notes that while Windy Boy is entitled to due process, “the Montana Senate and the Legislature as a whole have a duty to protect the ability of every legislator, staff person, and member of the public to safely do their jobs and participate in the legislative process in a dignified manner.”

The letter goes on to state that “Choosing to resign is an opportunity to uphold the high standard that the public expects of its lawmakers and to show your dedication to the dignity of the Montana Senate. We also believe it would be the best decision for you personally, as this issue is not going to go away and will undoubtedly continue to escalate the longer you choose to remain in office.”

Senate leadership collected signatures from a supermajority of the chamber despite five senators, in addition to Windy Boy, being excluded from signing the letter. The four members of the Senate Ethics Committee were recused and one senator is currently suspended from office by order of a district judge.

A copy of the senators’ letter is below.

Open letter to Senator Jonathan Windy Boy
Sen. Windy Boy,
As you are aware, disturbing allegations of sexual misconduct have been made against
you. As reported by the press, it is alleged that you engaged in sexually explicit
conversations with minors, including at least one attempt to solicit them for sex. You
have also been accused of sexually harassing a fellow legislator and a member of

legislative staff. These serious allegations, at least some of which are well-
documented, establish a pattern of behavior that we believe is disqualifying for anyone

holding public office.
Any credible allegation of sexual misconduct with minors is beyond alarming. That
potentially criminal activity is a breach of the trust given to you as an elected official.
Further, the Montana Senate and the Legislature as a whole have a duty to protect the
ability of every legislator, staff person, and member of the public to safely do their jobs
and participate in the legislative process in a dignified manner.
We believe that the right thing for you to do for yourself personally, for the Legislature,
and for your constituents is to immediately resign from your position in the Senate. We
do not request this of you lightly; the gravity of these allegations and the duty we have
to protect the integrity of our institution and the people it serves leaves us no choice.
We recognize that you have a right to due process and the presumption of innocence.
However, allegations of this nature—involving minors and abuse of position—carry
serious implications for the credibility and functioning of the Legislature. The continued
controversy surrounding these allegations risks undermining public confidence in the
Montana Senate and distracting from the work of the Legislature. Choosing to resign is
an opportunity to uphold the high standard that the public expects of its lawmakers
and to show your dedication to the dignity of the Montana Senate. We also believe it
would be the best decision for you personally, as this issue is not going to go away and
will undoubtedly continue to escalate the longer you choose to remain in office.
In order to preserve the integrity and due process of any potential Senate Ethics
Committee proceedings during the interim, the Senate Ethics Committee members
(Sens. Mandeville, McGillvray, Smith, and Pope) have been recused from signing this
letter.
Sincerely,

Senator Matt Regier Senator Pat Flowers
President Minority Leader

Senator Kenneth Bogner Senator Barry Usher
President Pro-Tempore

Senator Sue Vinton Senator Shane Morigeau

Senator Daniel Zolnikov Senator Ellie Boldman

Senator Becky Beard Senator Willis Curdy

Senator Derek Harvey Senator John Fuller

Senator Vince Ricci Senator Mary Ann Dunwell

Senator Sara Novak Senator Wylie Galt

Senator Daniel Emrich Senator Janet Ellis

Senator Theresa Manzella Senator Butch Gillespie

Senator Bob Phalen Senator Jacinda Morigeau

Senator Carl Glimm Senator Cora Neumann

Senator Shelley Vance Senator Tony Tezak

Senator Josh Kassmier Senator Mike Yakawich
Senator Dennis Lenz Senator Gregg Hunter
Senator Greg Hertz Senator Gayle Lammers
Senator Wendy McKamey Senator Mark Noland
Senator Mike Cuffe Senator Jeremy Trebas
Senator Susan Webber Senator Dave Fern
Senator Emma Kerr-Carpenter