Photo by Whitehorse Star
David Laxton
Laxton ‘disallowed’ from running for Yukon Party
David Laxton will not run again for the Yukon Party in Porter Creek Centre because the party won’t allow it.
David Laxton will not run again for the Yukon Party in Porter Creek Centre because the party won’t allow it.
“The Yukon Party’s Nomination Application Review Committee has the authority to disallow a candidate at any time,” Yukon Party president Linda Hillier said in a statement sent out Friday afternoon.
“It is the belief of the committee that Mr. Laxton should no longer continue as a Yukon Party candidate.”
Laxton resigned as Speaker and left the Yukon Party caucus May 10 following an allegation of sexual harassment. Patti McLeod, the Yukon Party MLA for Watson Lake, succeeded him as Speaker.
According to Laxton, the allegation flows from an interaction with “a long-time acquaintance” at the legislature during business hours last February.
He said he hugged the woman and kissed her on the mouth twice, once in his office, and again in the lobby.
Right now, the public only knows Laxton’s side of the story. The woman has not spoken publicly.
About a week before Laxton stepped down, the former Speaker announced that he would seek re-election as the Yukon Party candidate in his riding.
Now, it is unclear if he will run as an independent, or run again at all.
This morning, the Star asked Laxton if he intends to campaign as an independent, to which he replied, “I don’t know.”
Asked if he would consider seeking the nomination for another party, Laxton had no comment.
As for answering to his constituents, who may be wondering if the MLA they elected will work to represent them for a second term, Laxton said, “I’ll talk to them.”
Right now, there is no one seeking the Yukon Party nomination in Porter Creek Centre.
Hillier could not be reached for comment about the situation today.
Former Whitehorse Elementary School principal Pat Berrel is the NDP candidate in the riding (see story, p. 5).
Karlo Krauzig, owner of Yukon Shine Distillery, is seeking the Yukon Liberal Party nomination.
Laxton ran as a Liberal in the 2006 territorial election, but lost to Yukon Party candidate Archie Lang.
Liberal caucus spokesperson Jason Cunning said the former Speaker has not approached the Liberal party about running, adding that, “there would be no point because we are not interested in having him as a candidate.”
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Comments (7)
Up 6 Down 0
drum on Jun 11, 2016 at 10:57 am
Guilty until proved innocent!!!!!!!!!! But drunk driving is okay. If David had been accused of that he would have been alright.
Up 27 Down 7
Tom Stevens on Jun 8, 2016 at 9:41 am
The Yukon Party attempting to show ethics.. that must have hurt!!!
Up 14 Down 4
YukonMax on Jun 8, 2016 at 6:18 am
"kissed her on the mouth...twice"!
Up 10 Down 18
jc on Jun 7, 2016 at 9:48 pm
June, who are you to judge morals? It's the Liberals and NDPs who are always advocating laws of immorality. I could name you just a few, but again, the Star wouldn't print my comment.
Up 47 Down 10
Politico on Jun 6, 2016 at 11:54 pm
True democracy in action. The back room boys at the YP know what is best for us and will make all decisions necessary to protect us from our choices. All hail the back room boys!
Up 57 Down 8
BnR on Jun 6, 2016 at 8:52 pm
Hmmmm, they'll punt an MLA based on sexual harassment allegations, but driving while impaired? Hey, if it brings us more votes, we'll overlook anything. Nothing like holding the moral low ground.
Up 50 Down 12
June Jackson on Jun 6, 2016 at 6:21 pm
It's a little late to come off as if YP has any collective morals.. what about the DUIs? Darius should have been disallowed the minute after charges. But, I see he is still there and raking in the big bucks. He changed parties once.. maybe he will do it again as it doesn't look promising for the YP.
May 27, 2011, it was reported "In choosing Pasloski, party faithful picked principles over pragmatism." Pasloski waited till 2016, election year to show a principle?