State Rep. Dan Johnson’s suicide in the wake of sexual assault allegations has sent Frankfort reeling. Capitol reporter Ryland Barton says Johnson’s widow plans to file to run for his seat representing Bullitt County in the legislature.
Rep. Dan Johnson was a Republican from Mt. Washington. He fatally shot himself Wednesday evening after posting a suicide note on Facebook.
Johnson’s widow Rebecca Johnson has already said she will file to run for his seat, according to the associated press.
House Majority Whip Bratcher told WAVE3 News that Rebecaa Johnson seems “up to the task.”
“It seems like a lot of things are falling of the track right now, but we’re going to do the people’s business in January and move forward,” Bratcher said.
Gov. Matt Bevin would have to call a special election to fill the seat vacated by Johnson.
Earlier in the week, the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting published an expose of Johnson’s life, including years of deceptive claims, alleged criminal activity including arson and improperly selling alcohol out of his church. There were also and accusations from a woman who says Johnson assaulted her in 2013 when she was 17 years-old.
Johnson denied the allegations.
