Republicans in the Minnesota House vote to suspend Mark Olson from their caucus.
Republicans in the Minnesota House have voted to suspend Representative Mark Olson from their caucus just five days before Olson is scheduled to make a court appearance. House Minority Leader Marty Seifert says caucus members voted unanimously on Thursday night to suspend Olson from the caucus. Olson was not present at the meeting. Olson is charged with two counts of misdemeanor domestic assault against his wife. The Republican from Big Lake is scheduled to be arraigned in Sherburne County Court on Tuesday. Seifert says Olson should be removed from the Legislature if he's found guilty.
"It's best that Representative Olson get his personal affairs in order and get through his court situation. And as I said last week that if he knows in his mind that he did this then he ought to be out of the Legislature."
Seifert says he has not spoken with Olson since the incident occurred last month. MPR was unable to contact Olson. He has been ordered to have no contact with his wife.
Create a More Connected Minnesota
MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.