Aaron Coleman
American politician

Aaron Coleman
Member of the
Kansas House of Representatives
from the 37th district
In office
January 11, 2021 – January 9, 2023
Preceded byStan Frownfelter
Succeeded byMelissa Oropeza
Personal details
Born (2000-09-20) September 20, 2000 (age 25)[1]
Kansas City, Kansas, U.S.
PartyDemocratic (before Jan. 2021; Feb. 2021–present)
Other political
affiliations		Independent (Jan.–Feb. 2021)

Aaron Coleman (born September 20, 2000) is an American politician from the state of Kansas. A Democrat, he represented District 37 in the Kansas House of Representatives from 2021 to 2023. The district covers the Turner neighborhood and parts of the Argentine and Armourdale neighborhoods of Kansas City in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Coleman was elected to the Kansas House of Representatives at the age of 20. Coleman previously ran a write-in campaign for governor of Kansas in 2018 and ran for the Kansas City Board of Utilities in 2019.

Coleman's tenure in office was marred by various allegations. He has been accused of engaging in abusive and harassing behavior on a series of occasions and has admitted to and apologized for childhood acts of online bullying, blackmail, and revenge porn. As a juvenile, he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor harassment after threatening to shoot another teen. Following Coleman's 2020 election to the Kansas House of Representatives, many members of his own party called for his resignation due to his acts of misconduct; some called for his removal. In February 2021, the Select Investigating Committee of the Kansas House of Representatives sent Coleman a letter of warning and admonition in regard to past conduct unbecoming of a state legislator. In October 2021, Coleman was arrested on a domestic violence charge; the following month, he was arrested for suspected DUI. Following his 2021 arrests, Gov. Laura Kelly called for his resignation. In February 2022, Coleman was suspended from the state Democratic Party for two years. Also in 2022, Coleman entered into a diversion agreement under which he avoided prosecution for domestic battery; he was not criminally charged in connection with the November 2021 arrest due to a lack of evidence of intoxication.

Coleman sought re-election in 2022, but was defeated in a landslide by Melissa Oropeza in the Democratic primary.

Early life

Coleman comes from Kansas City, Kansas.[2] He has worked as a dishwasher.[3] As of 2020, Coleman attended Johnson County Community College.[1] He is Jewish.[4]

Political career

In 2017, as a seventeen-year-old who had dropped out of high school, Coleman entered the race for governor of Kansas as a write-in independent candidate ahead of the 2018 election.[5] Democrat Laura Kelly won the election.[6]

In 2019, Coleman ran for the board of public utilities in Kansas City.[7]

Kansas House of Representatives

Elections

In 2020, Coleman defeated seven-term incumbent Stan Frownfelter in a Democratic primary in Kansas House of Representatives District 37. The victory was considered an upset.[8] Coleman, then 19 years of age, won by just 14 votes.[9] The district covers the Turner neighborhood and parts of the Argentine and Armourdale neighborhoods of Kansas City in Wyandotte County, Kansas.[10]

After Coleman admitted to online bullying, blackmail and revenge porn, Frownfelter announced he would run a write-in campaign against Coleman.[11][12] Coleman initially dropped out of the race, but later reversed his decision.[13] Democratic House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer, supported Frownfelter's write-in campaign, as did Democratic Governor Laura Kelly.[11] Another candidate, Kristina Smith, a paralegal and treasurer of the Wyandotte County Republican Party, also pursued a write-in campaign.[14] The Kansas Young Democrats endorsed Frownfelter and condemned Coleman.[15]

In August 2020, Coleman told former Republican state lawmaker John Whitmer that he would "laugh and giggle when you get COVID and die".[16][17] Coleman claimed Whitmer was repeating anti-mask “conspiracy theories”.[17]

Coleman ran on a platform of women's rights (specifically, access to contraceptives and abortion services, as well as equal pay), tuition-free public college, defunding the police, Medicare for all, legalizing cannabis, and the Green New Deal.[18][16]

Coleman won the general election to the Kansas House of Representatives on November 3, 2020 at the age of 20,[19] garnering 66% of the vote against two write-in candidates, including Frownfelter.

In November 2020, Coleman tweeted that he would "call out a hit" on Kansas Governor Laura Kelly, and predicted she would face an "extremely bloody" Democratic primary in 2022.[20] Coleman said that his tweet was not a call for physical violence against the governor,[21] but an expression of his belief that Kelly's moderate political positions did not appeal to him or the party's left wing; he self-identifies as a democratic socialist.[22] In response, Sawyer and state Democratic chair Vicki Hiatt stated that Democrats in the House would file a complaint against Coleman when he was sworn in and work for the two-thirds vote required to remove him from office.[20] Seven recently elected female Democratic state legislators signed a December 21, 2020, letter calling on Coleman to resign before taking office.[23]

Coleman ran for re-election to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2022.[24] He faced two primary challengers and finished in a distant third with just 13.1% of the vote.[24] Melissa Oropeza, a nurse practitioner, won the Democratic primary with 49.2% of the vote.[24]

Tenure

On December 31, 2020, Democratic House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer denied Coleman committee assignments in the incoming legislature.[25]

On January 13, 2021, two days after being sworn in to the Kansas House of Representatives, Coleman announced he had left the Democratic Party and would sit as an independent.[26] On February 8, he re-joined the Democrats.[27]

In February 2021, following a hearing, the Select Investigating Committee of the Kansas House of Representatives dismissed a complaint against Coleman regarding acts of misconduct he committed before taking office.[28] The Committee later sent Coleman a letter of warning and admonition in regard to past conduct unbecoming of a state legislator.[29][30] Following Coleman's October 2021 arrest on domestic violence charges, Sawyer called Coleman's more recent arrest "extremely disturbing news" and said Coleman should "resign and get the help he badly needs."[31] After Coleman was arrested again in November 2021, for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol, Sawyer again requested Coleman's resignation. Gov. Kelly called for the legislature to expel Coleman if he did not voluntarily leave office.[32][33] A complaint was filed seeking Coleman's removal from office.[30]

In February 2022, the Kansas Democratic Party suspended Coleman for two years.[34]

Other campaigns

In November 2023, Coleman was defeated in his bid for a seat on the Turner USD 202 Board of Education in Wyandotte County.[35]

Coleman has been accused of engaging in abusive, harassing and/or unlawful behavior on a series of occasions.[36][37]

Juvenile misconduct

After his 2020 Kansas House primary victory, Coleman's past history generated significant controversy, leading to him admitting that he had leaked revenge porn in middle school when he was 12.[9][19][38] He has also admitted to bullying, extortion, and threats of physical violence at his middle school.[39][9]

The Kansas City Star reported that in 2015, when Coleman was 14, he was arrested and charged for threatening to shoot a girl at another high school.[39] He was initially charged with a felony count of making a criminal threat, but later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of harassment.[35]

Coleman has apologized for his bullying, extortion, and revenge porn activities.[9] Coleman asserted he had experienced child abuse from his elementary school teachers. On June 17, 2020, Coleman said, on Facebook, that he spent “the vast majority” of his elementary school education “in a closet” instead of getting proper help at school. Coleman claims that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder at 15.[16] Turner USD #202 school district, where Coleman went to elementary school, stated that it does not “put kids in closets”.[16]

Allegations and charges of adult misconduct

Harassment

On December 4, 2020, Kathleen Lynch, a Wyandotte County, Kansas judge, issued a temporary anti-stalking order (no-contact order) against Coleman after Brandie Armstrong, the campaign manager for Frownfelter, accused Coleman of harassment. The two later reached an agreement.[40]

In 2021, Democratic House Minority Leader Tom Sawyer accused Coleman of having threatened Sawyer's former chief of staff, Heather Scanlon.[28]

In October 2021, Kansas Department of Labor Secretary Amber Shultz sent Coleman a letter notifying him that he had been banned from all Department of Labor offices. The letter alleged that Coleman had attempted to enter an employees-only area of the agency's Topeka headquarters[41] and had accosted a police officer in "a loud and demanding tone". Coleman disputed this account.[42]

Violence

Coleman's ex-girlfriend, Taylor Passow, has alleged that Coleman choked and slapped her in late 2019,[38][43] and that he had sent her abusive and threatening text messages. Coleman disputed aspects of Passow's account.[44]

On October 30, 2021, Coleman was arrested by Overland Park police on a domestic violence charge. Coleman was alleged to have hit, pushed, and spat upon his brother and to have threatened to "kick" his grandfather's "ass". The domestic dispute allegedly arose from Coleman's objection to his brother's desire to be baptized.[32][45][46] Coleman pleaded not guilty and was released on bail.[2] In March 2022, Coleman entered into a diversion agreement in which he "agreed to complete a domestic violence assessment, spend a year in counseling and take random alcohol and drug tests in lieu of facing prosecution for the battery charge".[47]

2021 driving infraction

On November 28, 2021, Coleman was arrested in Douglas County, Kansas on suspicion of (DUI).[33] He had been cited for doing 91 mph on an Interstate, and for failing to follow the instructions of the police officer who made the traffic stop.[48] In January 2022, it was announced that no criminal charge would be filed due to lack of evidence of intoxication. Coleman was instead charged with traffic violations for speeding and for failing to yield to emergency vehicles.[49]

Electoral history

Kansas House of Representatives 37th District 2020 Democratic Primary[50]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Aaron Coleman 823 49.8%
Democratic Stan Frownfelter (incumbent) 809 49.0%
Total votes 1,652 100.00
Kansas House of Representatives 37th District 2020 General Election[51]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Aaron Coleman 3,649 66.45
Independent Stan Frownfelter (write-in) (incumbent) 1,222 22.25
Independent Kristina Smith (write-in) 620 11.29
Total votes 5,491 100.00
Democratic hold
Kansas House of Representatives 37th District 2022 Democratic Primary[24]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Melissa Oropeza 1,203 49.2%
Democratic Faith Rivera 923 37.7%
Democratic Aaron Coleman (incumbent) 321 13.1%
Total votes 2,447 100.00

References

  1. ^ a b Chen, Caroline (August 21, 2020). "Aaron Coleman: 5 Fast Facts You Need To Know". Heavy.
  2. ^ a b Brunner, Melissa (November 1, 2021). "State Rep. ordered to undergo mental evaluation, pleads not guilty to domestic battery". WIBW-TV. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  3. ^ Gebhardt, Maggie (August 17, 2020). "Wyandotte County election board certifies win for 19-year-old". kshb.com. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  4. ^ Nahmias, Omri (August 10, 2020). "19-year-old leading the vote count in a local Kansas primary". Jerusalem Post. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  5. ^ Clarkin, Mary. High school dropout running for governor, Hutchinson News, December 27, 2017.
  6. ^ Nelson, Libby (November 6, 2018). "Democrat Laura Kelly beats Kris Kobach in the Kansas governor race". Vox. Retrieved June 1, 2022.
  7. ^ Rupert, Mary (August 5, 2019). "Seven candidates run for BPU Districts 1 and 3". Wyandotte Daily. Archived from the original on August 5, 2019. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  8. ^ Sloan, Nick. "Aaron Coleman, under fire after victory, tweets that he'll leave the race". KCTV 5 Kansas City. Archived from the original on August 23, 2020. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  9. ^ a b c d Cramer, Maria (August 19, 2020). "Kansas Democrat, 19, Who Admitted to Revenge Porn, Ekes Out Primary Win". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  10. ^ Vockrodt, Steve (October 29, 2020). "Kansas candidate with a troubled past and ambitious platform: Change agent or pariah?". The Kansas City Star.
  11. ^ a b Hanna, John. Kansas candidate admitting to revenge porn faces write-in, Associated Press, August 17, 2020.
  12. ^ "Kansas candidate who admitted to revenge porn drops out". news.yahoo.com. AP. Retrieved August 24, 2020.
  13. ^ Embattled teen candidate for Kansas House reverses decision, says he’ll stay in race, Wichita Eagle, August 25, 2020.
  14. ^ After controversial teenager wins Kansas House primary, two write-in efforts emerge, Kansas City Star, August 18, 2020.
  15. ^ Rupert, Mary. Election night totals shocking to Rep. Frownfelter, Wyandotte Daily.com, August 5, 2020.
  16. ^ a b c d Hanna, John. Teen leading in Kansas race admits blackmail, revenge porn, Associated Press, August 14, 2020.
  17. ^ a b "'Mask it or casket': Democratic House candidate hopes GOP stricken by COVID-19". Kansas Reflector. July 31, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  18. ^ "Wyandotte County looks to elect progressive with history of troubling behavior". The Kansas City Star. November 3, 2020.
  19. ^ a b "20-year-old who admitted to sexual harassment elected to Kansas House of Representatives". KSHB. November 4, 2020.
  20. ^ a b Bergan, Shain. State Rep-elect from KCK vows to "call out a hit" on Kansas governor, says 2022 primary will be "extremely bloody", KCTV Channel 5, Kansas City, Missouri, November 6, 2020.
  21. ^ Morales, Christina (November 9, 2020). "Aaron Coleman: Democrat who admitted to revenge porn and bullying wins state house seat". London Independent.
  22. ^ Vickers, Nathan. "Kansas Democrats could oust 20-year-old candidate following 'hit' tweet directed at Gov. Kelly". KCTV Kansas City. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  23. ^ New Kansas lawmakers, Democratic leaders demand resignation of State Rep.-elect Aaron Coleman, KMBC TV Channel 9, Kansas City, Missouri, December 22, 2020.
  24. ^ a b c d Ritter, Sarah (August 3, 2022). "Kansas Rep. Aaron Coleman, with history of abuse, loses seat in Democratic primary". The Kansas City Star.
  25. ^ Hanna, John (December 31, 2020). "New Kansas lawmaker under court order denied committee seats". Associated Press. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
  26. ^ "New Kansas Representative changes affiliation from Democrat to Independent". KMBC 9. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  27. ^ "Kansas Rep. Aaron Coleman rejoins Democratic Party". Associated Press. KSHB. February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2021.
  28. ^ a b Bahl, Andrew (January 23, 2021). "Complaint against Rep. Aaron Coleman dismissed, as legislators favor informal discipline". Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
  29. ^ "Kansas lawmaker accused of past abuse gets written warning". AP NEWS. February 18, 2021.
  30. ^ a b Dodge, Abby. "Kansas house democrats file second complaint against Aaron Coleman". KCTV Kansas City.
  31. ^ Carpenter, Tim (October 31, 2021). "Kansas state Rep. Coleman arrested, jailed on domestic violence allegation House Democratic leader calls arrest 'extremely disturbing news". Kansas Reflector. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  32. ^ a b Torres, Aarón; Bernard, Katie (November 28, 2021). "Early-morning DUI arrest adds to troubles for Kansas lawmaker accused of family violence". The Kansas City Star. Retrieved November 28, 2021.
  33. ^ a b DeMarche, Edmund (November 28, 2021). "Top Kansas Democrat call for representative to step down after arrest on suspicion of DUI". Fox News. Retrieved November 29, 2021.
  34. ^ Chung, Rebekah; Feuerborn, Mark (February 28, 2022). "Kansas Democrats suspend controversial Rep. Aaron Coleman". WDAF-TV. Kansas City. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  35. ^ a b "Aaron Coleman, former KS lawmaker with abusive history, loses WyCo school board race". Yahoo News. November 8, 2023.
  36. ^ Koranda, Stephen (November 11, 2021). "What it would take to remove Kan. lawmaker charged with domestic battery". Hutch Post. Kansas News Service.
  37. ^ Chung, Rebekah (November 29, 2021). "Kansas Rep. Aaron Coleman could face expulsion from office after lawmakers file complaint". WDAF-TV. Kansas City.
  38. ^ a b Grim, Ryan. Aaron Coleman's Ex-girlfriend says he slapped and choked her in the past year, The Intercept, August 25, 2020.
  39. ^ a b Lampen, Claire. Aaron Coleman, Revenge Porn Perpetrator, Officially Elected to Kansas House, The Cut, November 4, 2020.
  40. ^ Multiple sources:
    • Kansas City, Kansas, lawmaker-to-be under order not to contact foe's aide, KMBC TV Channel 9, Kansas City, Missouri, December 9, 2020.
    • Hanna, John (December 8, 2020). "Kansas lawmaker-to-be under order not to contact foe's aide". Houston Chronicle. Houston, Texas: Associated Press. Retrieved December 29, 2020.
    • Headlines for Saturday, January 2, 2021, Kansas Public Radio, Lawrence, Kansas, January 2, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2021.
    • Hanna, John (January 7, 2021). "Lawyer: New Kansas lawmaker reaches deal to end court order". Alton Telegraph. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  41. ^ Bernard, Katie (October 26, 2021). "KS Rep. Aaron Coleman banned from KDOL for allegedly berating an officer last month". kansascity.com.
  42. ^ Bahl, Andrew (October 24, 2021). "Rep. Aaron Coleman banned from KDOL premises after 'disruptive, intimidating and berating' behavior". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  43. ^ "Aaron Coleman's ex-girlfriend says abusive behavior, threats continued until Kansas House bid". The Topeka Capital-Journal. August 26, 2020.
  44. ^ "Ex-girlfriend: Kansas House candidate was abusive last year". Associated Press. August 27, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2020. The incident followed one earlier in December, when Passow texted Coleman to tell him that she planned to hitchhike from Topeka to the Kansas City area to see him. The Capital-Journal reported that he texted back: 'I hope you get abducted raped chopped up and have ya pieces scattered and Burnt in different locations,' adding, 'Read about it. dangerous for women to hitchhike.' 'One day, he even said, 'If you get pregnant, I will have to kill you and the baby,"' Passow told The Capital-Journal.
  45. ^ Bernard, Katie; Spoerre, Anna (November 16, 2021). "KS Rep. Aaron Coleman hit, spit on brother and told grandfather he would 'kick his ass,' affidavit alleges". kansascity.com.
  46. ^ Vockrodt, Steve (November 16, 2021). "Kansas state Rep. Aaron Coleman allegedly hit brother, threatened grandfather on night of his arrest". KCUR.
  47. ^ Bernard, Katie (March 24, 2022). "Kansas Rep. Aaron Coleman receives diversion in Johnson County domestic battery case". kansascity.com.
  48. ^ Bahl, Andrew (March 3, 2022). "Kansas trooper: Rep. Aaron Coleman 'erratic' in November traffic stop; no DUI charges filed". The Topeka Capital-Journal. Retrieved March 3, 2022.
  49. ^ Bernard, Katie (January 28, 2022). "Kansas Rep Coleman charged with traffic infractions, not DUI, after November arrest". Kansas City Star.
  50. ^ Gebhardt, Maggie (August 17, 2020). "Wyandotte County election board certifies win for 19-year-old". kshb.com. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  51. ^ "Kansas Secretary of State 2020 General Election Official Vote Totals" (PDF). Kansas Secretary of State. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  • Ballotpedia — Aaron Coleman
  • Campaign website, archived May 14, 2021
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