Zepnick Considering Re-Election Bid Following Accusations Of Sexual Misconduct

An embattled legislator accused of sexual misconduct says he’s starting to plan a possible re-election campaign.

Two anonymous women accused Democratic Rep. Josh Zepnick, of Milwaukee, in a December Capital Times story of trying to drunkenly kiss them at political events in 2011 and 2015. Democratic leaders have demanded he resign but he has refused.

Zepnick told reporters Tuesday he’s starting to lay the groundwork for a re-election campaign. He said he doesn’t remember the 2011 incident. He acknowledged the 2015 incident took place but said he only meant to kiss the woman on the cheek, it wasn’t sexual and it was a one-time mistake.

He added he’s “astonished” women don’t want to report sexual assaults immediately.