BREAKING: Lieutenant Governor steps down
By: Jenn Schanz
jschanz@klkntv.com
Less than 24–hours after a family dispute and allegations of domestic abuse made headlines, Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann hung up his public servant’s hat.
“This has been a difficult situation. And after much thought, discussion and prayer, I have decided that for the good of my family, for the office of Lieutenant Governor, and for the future of
Monday, Heidemann’s sister was granted a protection order against him after months of a dispute over a family estate. According to court documents, she claims he grabbed her wrists and shoved her out of a bedroom in August.
Heidemann has denied much of the allegations, and has not been charged with anything. But given the situation, is taking a step back from the public eye.
“For the past 10 years, it has been an honor serving my constituents and the state of the
Gov. Heineman insisted that the Lieutenant Governor was not pressured to resign in any way but that he did so on his own. He also praised his character, calling him an honorable man.”
“This is a very unfortunate situation, but Lavon is doing what is appropriate by putting his family first and stepping down as Lieutenant Governor.”
Heidemann is the second Lieutenant Governor to step down following a controversy. Rick Sheehy resigned in February of 2013 following a state–issued cell phone scandal; Heidemann was his replacement.
But the Governor says this isn’t a trend…
“These are two, separate, distinct and unrelated circumstances, and so I don’t think you ought to try to connect them in that regard,” said Gov. Heineman.
