Democratic lawmaker on voucher-bill sponsor: 'I wanted to punch her in the throat'

Democratic Rep. Jesus Rubalcava, angered over passage of the controversial school-voucher style legislation last week, wrote on social media he wanted to throat-punch its sponsor, Republican Sen. Debbie Lesko.

Late Thursday, as the Senate Bill 1431 was being sent to Gov. Doug Ducey for his signature, the Gila Bend lawmaker took to Facebook to express his outrage.

“I wanted to punch her in the throat,” he wrote of Lesko, in response to a Facebook friend who had written that Lesko's victory lap around the state Capitol “was slightly enraging.”

Screenshots of his comments about expanding the Empowerment Scholarship Account program began circulating at the Capitol on Wednesday.

The legislation expands the state’s program that allows families to take public money and use it for private school tuition, tutoring, and other educational expenses.

Lesko initially told The Arizona Republic she didn’t know much about Rubalcava, and was unbothered by his comments. Later, in a phone message left with a Republic reporter, she said, “The more time I’ve had to think of this Rubalcava comment, it is kind of disturbing. I don’t know if the guy has violent tendencies, or what … The more I think about it, it is rather disturbing that someone would comment like that.”

On Thursday, she wrote in a statement to the newspaper, "As a survivor of domestic violence from a previous marriage, Representative Rubalcava’s Facebook post saying 'I wanted to punch her in the throat' was very disturbing and totally inappropriate especially since he is an elementary school teacher and legislator. I hope in the future that he debates issues based on their merit in a civil manner."

Rubalcava took down the post, and on Thursday, apologized on the floor of the House of Representatives. He told colleagues he spent part of his life being raised by a his mom, who was single. Violence, he said, was not tolerated.

“And so, my comment, was definitely unprofessional, and it was unacceptable,” he said. “And I want this body to know that I have apologized to Sen. Debbie Lesko for my comment, and I sincerely apologize, I want this body to know.”

His remarks were met with applause.

Later Thursday, the freshman lawmaker walked across the Capitol plaza and apologized in person. Lesko accepted it, and said she asked him, in the future, to debate her on the merits of legislation.

But that didn't end the controversy for some.

Rep. Maria Syms, R-Paradise Valley, issued a news release calling Rubalcava unfit for public office. And Rep. Anthony Kern, R-Glendale, said there should be zero tolerance for any violence against women, although he suggested a punch to the throat took the threat to a "different level" than a slap across the face. He said the Democratic caucus should sanction Rubalcava and said, in his mind, his actions fall just short of expulsion.

A spokeswoman for the state Republican Party weighed in, saying Rubalcava is unfit for office. His words "reflect his character and severe lack of judgement," wrote spokeswoman Torunn Sinclair in a statement.

"His apology got one thing right—his actions are unacceptable," Sinclair wrote, adding that "in most jobs" his actions would result in termination.

She wrote he "should take greater responsibility for his actions. He should resign."

Follow the reporter on Twitter @yvonnewingett and reach her at yvonne.wingett@arizonarepublic.com or 602-444-4712.