Democratic Sen. Kathleen Riebe said she won’t resign her seat, a day after her five Democratic Senate colleagues expelled her from their caucus and called for her to step down after they received the results of an independent investigation into alleged workplace misconduct and harassment.

Riebe said she had not seen the full report before her colleagues released their demand statement to media outlets, nor was she given a chance to respond.

She said she disputes “material characterizations” of her alleged conduct that she has heard, but she “will not discuss confidential personnel matters or speculate about the contents of a report that I have not been permitted to review.”

“I am not resigning,” she said in a statement Wednesday afternoon. “Fair process matters. Voters have entrusted me with public office four times, and I have important work ahead on behalf of my constituents.”

Riebe’s Democratic colleagues issued their call for her resignation about an hour before polls closed on election night, saying her behavior “is deeply unsettling and will not be tolerated.”

“We take matters of workplace harassment and discrimination seriously,” the statement read. “We have no tolerance for bias, aggressive behavior, or discriminatory practices.”

A summary of the investigation, obtained Tuesday by The Salt Lake Tribune, said that it was “more likely than not” that Riebe engaged in a pattern of conduct toward others that was likely motivated by race, national origin or ethnicity; that she had made statements about employment decisions based on sexual orientation or other protected characteristics; that she had directed staff to place interns with her office based on the interns’ sexual orientation; and that she had violated legislative policy.

The summary, signed by outgoing Senate President Stuart Adams, lists a series of corrective actions: Riebe would not be assigned Senate staff; would not be assigned a legislative intern; would be moved to a new office to separate her from Senate staff; and would be required to complete additional harassment training.

Riebe said she has asked for a copy of the report and its written findings and she is “confident that this matter can be addressed fairly and responsibly.”

“Across Utah and the country last night, voters sent a loud message: They expect their elected officials to focus on getting work done,” she said. “I will continue doing that work for my constituents. We have a great deal to accomplish together, and that is where my focus will remain.”

Riebe is not up for reelection until 2028. First elected to the Senate in 2020, she was the Democratic nominee in a 2023 special election against Republican Celeste Maloy, losing that race. She ran briefly this year for the nomination in Utah’s 1st Congressional District, before dropping out and endorsing former Rep. Ben McAdams.

Riebe’s statement

Here is the full text of Riebe’s statement.

Senate Democratic leadership issued a public statement calling on me to resign and stating that I could no longer participate in the caucus. Before that statement was released, I had not been provided the investigator’s report or written findings, and no caucus member contacted me to ask for my response.

I take workplace concerns seriously. I also dispute material characterizations of my conduct that have been relayed to me. I will not discuss confidential personnel matters or speculate about the contents of a report that I have not been permitted to review.

I am not resigning. Fair process matters. Voters have entrusted me with public office four times, and I have important work ahead on behalf of my constituents.

I have requested the report and written findings. I will use the appropriate internal processes to address the caucus’s decision and seek a fair opportunity to respond. I was elected as a Democrat, remain committed to Democratic values, and am confident that this matter can be addressed fairly and responsibly.

Across Utah and the country last night, voters sent a loud message: they expect their elected officials to focus on getting work done. I will continue doing that work for my constituents. We have a great deal to accomplish together, and that is where my focus will remain.