DITTMER, Missouri – As the husband of State Rep. Cecelie Williams R-District 111, I want to speak out against the vile and degrading text messages sent to my wife by Democrat state Rep. Jeremy Dean D-District 132.
On the evening of Sept. 4, while attending a committee hearing at the Capitol, my wife received a hostile message from Dean that read:
“I’m surprised you guys can even talk with Trump’s dick shoved that far down your throats.”
After the meeting ended, she called me immediately, shaken and angry.
Rep. Jeremy Dean, D-Springfield
My wife followed the House Ethics Committee’s protocol and filed a formal complaint. She also followed the committee’s rules requiring her to stay silent publicly during the process.
Since she cannot speak about this matter herself right now, I feel compelled to speak up as both her husband and her advocate. As Cecelie’s husband, I helped heal a woman I didn’t break, so I cannot stand silently while hypocritical leftist Democrats try to sweep this incident under the rug.
Dean used his apology press release to pivot into a policy diatribe that clearly aimed to justify his misogynistic attacks and fantasized violent actions. The so-called “Me Too” movement only seems to object when Republicans are blamed.
This incident is particularly upsetting given my wife’s well-known history as a survivor of domestic abuse, which has influenced her legislative work on domestic violence issues this year.
Despite this, Dean still chose to target her with personal and demeaning comments.
My first instinct was to drive to Jefferson City and confront him personally, but he seemed to be provoking that reaction to portray himself as the victim.
Since then, Dean has issued a superficial apology that quickly shifts to justifying his words as part of his political “fight for democracy.” This is nothing more than an attempt to excuse disgraceful behavior.
Adding to the hypocrisy, Dean is employed by the Drew Lewis Foundation, an organization dedicated to ending the cycle of domestic violence. How can such an organization continue to associate with a man who makes misogynistic attacks on a survivor of abuse?
Speaking for my family, I want to be clear: Rep. Dean’s apology is unacceptable. His actions insult not only my wife and our family but also survivors of domestic violence across Missouri.
The only appropriate resolution is for Rep. Dean to resign immediately. If he refuses, the Missouri House of Representatives must remove him from office for conduct unbecoming of his position.
