Anchorage lawmaker apologizes after sexist remarks on House floor

JUNEAU — A member of the Alaska House of Representatives is facing criticism and is apologizing after delivering a speech on the House floor this week that included sexist remarks about the appearance of a female colleague.

Rep. Zack Fields, an Anchorage Democrat, spoke Wednesday to wish happy birthday to Rep. Sara Rasmussen, an Anchorage Republican. Lawmakers often give speeches celebrating birthdays of their colleagues, and they frequently include jokes in their remarks.

After praising Rasmussen, Fields said he had “recently become aware of a problem caused by the representative in her home district — a problem related to the risk of automobile collisions in her neighborhood.”

Fields then quoted from what he later said was a Facebook post by one of Rasmussen’s constituents: “Sara can wear a short skirt and stop traffic in Anchorage once the spring clothes can be worn.”

Read more: https://www.adn.com/politics/alaska-legislature/2021/02/25/anchorage-lawmaker-apologizes-after-sexist-speech-on-house-floor/
(Anchorage Daily News)