— from Kevin Ranker —
This week a Senate investigation concluded a process that began when an employee who worked for me 10 years ago alleged that I mistreated her. The report found that I violated our Senate policies. The allegations were that I “slammed doors, shouted in anger, and caused her to feel very uncomfortable.” It does not matter that I am passionate about the issues I work on.
What matters is that I recognize the impacts of my actions. I have always tried to be respectful of the people around me when I advocate for important issues. I have not always succeeded. The report also says that I “rubbed” my colleague’s shoulders, offered her wine when she had to work late and made “flirtatious” comments. Did I treat her in a way that was different than others as a result of our previous relationship? Likely yes. But that does not make my actions acceptable. While in the position of power as a boss, one must consider the formality of the workplace; all employees should feel supported and successful in their job.
Finally, while some news reports said otherwise, the investigation found that I did not retaliate against her or the agency where she worked after leaving my office.
If we are ever going to create the society we dream of, one where each of us is truly treated equal, men in power must recognize our privilege and more importantly, the impacts of our actions… regardless of intent. We must own and understand the impacts of our behavior and the very real fact that our current system supports it. And, importantly, we must recognize that looking the other way for lesser actions creates a society that can be pathetically accepting of the worst offenders. Otherwise, there will be no real progress.
I remain proud to have been one of a few to vote for full transparency in the Senate and was one of the Senate leaders who pushed for the updated policies used in this investigation so that anyone, regardless of the accuser or the accused, can come forward safely to report mistreatment. What we did not anticipate in our efforts to create a fair, transparent process is the toll on all parties when a parallel, public process plays out in the media concurrent to investigation. In the end, this is why I felt the right choice was to step down and spare my family further negative impacts. We must have these discussions, as a society, if we are going to correct cultural inequities and assumptions that must be addressed. My hope, however, is that this first test of our procedures can help inform and improve how the Senate moves forward in the future.
I am eternally grateful for the incredible honor of having served as the Senator from this wonderful district these past years. I am indebted for all the support I have received over the last weeks. It means more than I can express. For now, I am going to take some time with my family and think about what is next for us. Whatever comes next, I know that I will remain a passionate champion for our progressive agenda, but with more awareness and mindfulness than I had before.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Report of Investigation
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How can we get you back as an advocate of all we hold precious here on the Islands??
I have many personal reactions to the way the female sex has been given the freedom to report “abuse”, knowing it will damage those “abusers” for a life in the public eye. The accusations have nothing to do with the ability for those accused to do an unparalelled job in their chosen line of work. And, how do we know what led up to what these men have been accused of. It’s a two-way street.
We need you in the public eye, Kevin!
Margot Shaw it is comments like yours that keep women from reporting harrassment in the workplace whether it is sexual in nature or not. People who think like you keep men like former Senator Ranker in positions of power for decades with free reign to continue their disgusting behavior. If you have any granddaughters maybe you should encourage them to work for him when he decides what his next career will be. He should never hold public office again at the very least. I believe he should also be compensating her monetarily for his actions. Hopefully he will never have a position of authority or power over any female ever again.
Well, this situation has certainly proven a litmus test for #MeToo consistency and hypocrisy. There seems to be no issue that Mr. Ranker had a long extra-marital affair with an employee — while he was a Councilmember and she was Council clerk, if I have the facts straight, and continuing as he employed her in his Senatorial offices on the mainland. (I have been unable to get the link to the actual report to work. All that’s available is the Ranker press release.) Do we “blame the victim” (the sad, old “seductive female” trope) or hold Ranker to the same standard that we have the other politicians outed for similar behavior?
I have to say, I’m extremely saddened by our community’s reaction to this entire ordeal.
Being a leader isn’t just about what you accomplish, but how you accomplish it. Having a sexual relationship with an employee you manage at work is NEVER ok. Despite the hedging that Mr. Ranker does in this release, it’s clear he behaved in a totally inappropriate manner. Who knows how many others he has treated in this manner, whatever their gender or his relations with them.
Regardless of anything else, this whole affair shows horrendous judgment on his part, and thus it is astounding to me that others are calling for him to take up office again.
If you are disappointed our community has lost a strong advocate, then you should be angry at the person who cost us that voice: Kevin Ranker. This is the result of his actions.
P.S. Here is the 10 page report if anyone wants to actually read it.
https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/5719555-Ranker-Investigation-2-1-19.html
Hi Henry,
Kevin Ranker has a wife and a young daughter who live on our island. Personally, I feel their dignity should be respected and they need to be comfortable staying here with their support networks during this incredibly stressful time in their lives. Also, the legislature has already handled the situation via a relatively fair process, thus public outrage is not called upon to push for justice. I think these are the reasons why many otherwise powerful voices have remained silent or expressed thanks for the good things and moved on.
Cindy I do not understand your comment. No where was I calling for some sort of additional punishment or shaming, nor did I ever mention anyone’s family. I think the Senate acted appropriately, I am rather speaking to other comments I’ve seen (including in this very post) that have responded to this ordeal as if it were an injustice done to Mr. Ranker and that his accuser has harmed our community by being honest about her experiences.
As someone else has stated, this is the exact sentiment that allows powerful men to continue treating those around them poorly for decades. I do think justice was done, it is others who do not. But again I’m not sure why you brought up his family as I made no mention of them or any reference to Mr. Ranker outside the context that I know him: a public person.
Hi Henry,
It was because you were disappointed with “the community’s reaction.” Sometimes when lots of people are silent, only the loudest voices get heard and can be misconstrued as representative of sentiments being much more widely held than they truly are. I wanted to point out one possible reason for why the wider community hasn’t said much.
This breast-beating mea culpa immediately made me think of those politically-correct self-criticism speeches that once were a feature of Communist China’s so-called Cultural Revolution.
Well, at least Kevin won’t be adobe-walled when it’s over.