The Missouri House of Representatives voted 138 to 10 Thursday to sanction Democrat state Rep. Jeremy Dean for ethical misconduct following an investigation into an obscene text message he sent to a colleague last year.
The disciplinary action stems from a Sept. 4 incident in which the Springfield Democrat sent a lewd text message to Republican Rep. Cecelie Williams of Dittmer.
In Dean’s text to Williams he feigned surprise that “You [Republicans] can even talk” while performing fellatio on President Trump, though he worded it much more lewdly.
The text message from Missouri House Democrat @JeremyDean4Mo, while sitting on the House Floor, to domestic abuse survivor Rep. Cecelie Williams while she sat in Committee is reprehensible. This disgusting behavior has no place in our Capitol and must be dealt with immediately.… pic.twitter.com/qi2ZQtq6PI
— Adam Schwadron (@AJSchwadron) September 12, 2025
Speaker of the House Dr. Jon Patterson issued the following statement regarding the sanction approved by the body:
“With today’s action, the Missouri House of Representatives once again affirmed its commitment to maintaining a safe and welcoming work environment for every employee of the House.
“The recommendation offered by Chairman [Lane] Roberts and the House Ethics Committee represents a thoughtful, thorough, and appropriate response to the actions of Representative Dean. I appreciate the seriousness with which the committee approached this matter and thank them for their diligence and professionalism.
“The House remains committed to ensuring that all members and staff are held to the highest standards of conduct. As part of that ongoing commitment, all members will participate in the House’s annual sexual harassment training again next week.”
Under the approved sanction, Dean is removed from all committee assignments for the remainder of the 103rd General Assembly. He also is required to complete additional sexual harassment prevention training and is prohibited from having any contact with Williams.
The House further ordered that Dean must remain at least 50 feet away from Williams at all times. To facilitate this separation, House leadership will reassign Dean’s seat on the House floor and his parking space in the Capitol garage.
The House Democratic minority leader had already revoked Dean’s committee assignments shortly after the text message became public in September.
Williams has previously described Dean’s text message as unwanted and unappreciated, arguing such behavior has no place in the Legislature or any other workplace.
House communications director Ben Peters said enforcement of the sanctions will be carried out through administrative and procedural authority. The House sergeant at arms will monitor compliance with the physical separation requirements within the Capitol and other House facilities.
As part of a broader response to the ethics report, Speaker Patterson announced that all House members will participate in annual sexual harassment training again next week.
He said any violation of the sanctions against Dean could result in the committee imposing additional penalties under House rules.
