In a statement to KXL, Senator Gelser said “I am glad that Senator Kruse resigned as it is the right thing to do given the overwhelming findings of fact by the independent investigator…I am puzzled and disappointed that it will not be effective until March 15th, which is more than a month from now.”

In his resignation letter, Kruse continued to deny the allegations. SALEM, Ore. — The Latest on an Oregon state senator accused of inappropriate behavior (all times local):

An Oregon state senator says he is resigning after an investigation determined he had harassed multiple women in the Capitol building with prolonged hugging, groping and other unwelcome physical contact. Kruse issued a statement Thursday saying he was tendering his resignation, “so my colleagues may focus on serving Oregonians without distraction and my constituents may receive the fullest representation they are due.”

Kruse has been in the state legislature for 22 years. Kruse, a Republican from Roseburg, who has served more than 20 years in the Oregon Senate, had been stripped of his committee assignments by the Senate president late last year because of the complaints. An investigative report made public late Tuesday said Gelser would try to move away or avoid Kruse but didn’t feel comfortable telling him that the conduct was unwelcome. The investigation was one of many in statehouses nationwide following a wave of sexual misconduct allegations against men in power since an October expose of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein by the New York Times.
Jeff Kruse announces his resignation from the Oregon State Senate, effective March 15, amid allegations that he sexually harassed female colleagues and other staffers. Kruse denies the allegations.