A married rising Florida Democratic Party politician will not seek re-election after a man with whom he claims to have had a consensual relationship accused him of sexual harassment.
The 37-year-old politician, Rep. Ramon Alexander, was expected to lead the Sunshine State’s House Democratic Caucus in the upcoming term.
On Thursday, Alexander, however, announced that he will not seek re-election after former Florida A&M University employee Michael Johnson Jr. accused him of groping him and sending unwanted text messages.
Alexander, a married man with two kids, denied Johnson’s version of the story and said they had had a consensual relationship.
In a statement on Thursday, Alexander announced that “After thoughtful consideration and personal self-reflection, I will not seek re-election for my final term in the Florida House of Representatives.”
The politician plausibly said he is prioritizing the repair of his relationship with his wife and family.
Johnson, who worked in the college’s athletic department, made the accusations after being sacked in 2020. Alexander is a graduate of Florida A&M and has close ties to the school.
“Words will never fully describe how truly grateful I have been over these many years, to represent and fight for my community in the Florida Legislature,” Alexander said in his statement. “Meaningful public service has always been about making a significant difference in the lives of others without self promotion, spectacle or fanfare.”
Alexander had emerged as a frequent critic of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, clashing with him on issues ranging from the state’s COVID-19 policies to the governor’s push to eliminate critical race theory from schools.
