ST. PAUL, Minn. – House Democrats expelled a fellow representative, John Thompson of St. Paul,f rom their caucus for bad behavior. There have been allegations of domestic abuse, of rowdy anti-police demonstrations and police abuse, and questions about whether he even lives in Minnesota. In short, the House Democrats found him a growing embarrassment. Over the summer Governor Tim Walz. himself a Democrat, had joined the chorus for Johnson to resign. The House Democratic Caucus met behind closed doors to consider whether to ask for Johnson to step aside. After the meeting the Caucus issued a statement: “Thompson’s actions, credible reports of abuse and misconduct, and his failure to take responsibility remain unacceptable for a member of the Minnesota House.” As an elected representative, Johnson cannot be removed his seat in the House, but the Caucus action neuters him as an isolated pariah who likely won’t even receive the time of day. Johnson is in his first term from House District 67-A, which comprises northeast St. Paul and sections of Maplewood and Lake Phalen. If Johnson steps down, Democrats would still maintain their majority in the House.The majority: 70-64.

Earlier: Lawyer: Nothing ever proven about Johnson as violent

Earlier: Pressure mounts for Johnson to leave House

Thompson profile

John Thompson was born in Chicago. He attended historically black Central State University in Ohio. Later he became a machinist. He also worked 11 years for the Minneapolis schools, where he was a friend of Philando Castile. After Castile, a black man,  was shot and kkilled killed in a police traffic stop in 2016, Johnson positioned himself as an outspoken community leader on race issues. In the Minnesota House, Thompson served on the:

> Agriculture Policy Committee.

> Behavioral Health Committee

> Education Committee.

> Higher Education Committee.

In 2020, Thompson proposed spending $457 million aimed of “ending system racism” in education, health care, and social service.  About a compromise proposal by Republican lawmaker and Governor Tim Walz.  Thompson s faulted Wal. for lacking ” testicular fortitude” by agreeing to a less-comprehensive compromise with Republicans.

Thompson. Readily affable but record suggests a dark side. Always quick to pull the race card.

Thompson record

2003:2009: Complaints of domestic violence in three different police jurisdiction.

2011: Accused of indecent exposure to a woman and two children. No charges filed.

2019: Led a disturbance at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale Fined $278. Further sentenced stayed.

2020: Led a protest and threatened violence outside the home of police union leader Bob Kroll in suburban Hugo.

2020: Elected to an open seat in the Minnesota House with 72% of the vote. He had won the Democratic primary with 59%.

2021: Stopped for driving without license plates. His driver license it, turned out, showed him from Wisconsin and listing a Wisconsin residency.