RICHMOND, Va., June 14 (UPI) -- S. Vance Wilkins Jr. has become the first speaker of the House in Virginia's history to resign.
Wilkins resigned after a week of reaction from statewide office holders and fellow lawmakers to allegations that he sexually harassed women. He apologized to those he offended with his behavior.
In a conference call with reporters late Thursday, the Amherst Republican said he would decide in the next few days whether to retain his seat in the House of Delegates.
"I might be able to hold on, certainly until January 2003, but I think it is in the best interest of the caucus, for which I have worked so long, and for myself that I resign as speaker now," he said.
Wilkins' resignation came six days after The Washington Post reported that he paid $100,000 to Jennifer L. Thompson, 26, to settle an out-of-court sexual harassment claim. She said Wilkins groped her and pinned her against office furniture last summer at the construction company he used to own.
Another woman, Elizabeth P. Massie, came forward on Saturday with the allegation that Wilkins aggressively rubbed her leg during a Christmas party in December. Wilkins and the host of the party denied the allegation.
After the initial disclosure, Wilkins launched a campaign to keep his job, though he denied reports that he sought to intimidate delegates to support him.
"I didn't ask anyone to do it, and I didn't do it myself," he said.
Wilkins, 65, became the state's first Republican speaker in 2000 after leading the GOP to control of the House of Delegates for the first time in history.
Attorney General Jerry W. Kilgore, the state's top Republican officeholder, had called on Wilkins to resign Wednesday.
In a statement, Kilgore said he was saddened that the speaker's tenure ended under such circumstances and praised Wilkins for his 25 years of service.
"It is now important to turn without rancor to the critical issues facing Virginia," Kilgore said. "I look forward to doing that with the new House leadership."
Gov. Mark R. Warner, D-Va., said the speaker deserves to be remembered for his service to the state, and not simply for the circumstances that led to his resignation.
"This was a difficult decision for the speaker, but one that was correct given the serious allegations of the past several days," Warner said in a statement. "His actions (Thursday) are in the best interests of the commonwealth."
The Richmond Times-Dispatch reported Thursday that under House rules, Del. Lacey E. Putney, I-Bedford, becomes temporary speaker, because he is the chairman of the House Privileges and Elections Committee. Putney, 73, has served in the House for 40 years.
Some Republicans, however, want to hold a special session to elect one of their own as speaker. Many do not.
Del. Robert F. McDonnell, R-Virginia Beach, told the Times-Dispatch that it was premature to discuss a new speaker, and that holding a special session to do so might be in the best interest of the caucus.
