Color me surprised.

I have met Mike several times, and he seemed to be doing a great job for the residents that he served. It is a shame he resigned. I wouldn't have.

Once again. Democrats held to a higher standard.

Pretty much. He should've kept his seat. It would've been forgotten by the next election cycle.

Just to be clear. I don't think he should have kept his seat. I just think Republicans should be held to the same standard.

I get what you're saying. I feel that since Republicans always seem to just spit in the face of any actual pushback, it's high time Democrats do the same. His colleagues weren't calling for him to resign and allegations are not proof.

Or, wild idea, we start holding all of our politicians and elected officials to a higher standard.

Lets not lower the bar "because they're doing it too". That's elementary school playground talk.

Good, fuck sexual harrassers

One down, a million more to go… Edit to be clear: this was directed toward all politicians!! Not just dems.

This is a seat that the GOP held from the 1970s until 2018. Oh boy.

I'm sure he was a fine representitive and served his community well, but that's not really the point. It doesn't matter how good you are at your job, if you commit sexual abuse, you don't deserve to hold public office.

Yeah, control of the House is again up in the air. All because some schmuck could not behave himself around women.

Seriously, tho, now that the 16 GQP women spoke up against him, do you suppose they might finally speak up about the wife beaters on their side of the aisle?

​

oh.

After looking into the district profile, the current version of it leans pretty heavily Democrat. Its not a done deal that a Dem will win the special election, but its far from a massive risk they're taking here.

He was accused. Accusations do not equal guilt. Does no one understand that?

It's a relatively blue area that he was a rep in, so the chances of it flipping back to a GOP member seem pretty slim.

This is the unrealistic world that you live in.

Zabel's defense here seems to be "I was drunk". So yeah not a great excuse.

https://6abc.com/democratic-rep-mike-zabel-lawmaker-resigns-sexual-harassment-delaware-county/12929639/

He got Frankened

Unfortunately, you're correct

Two of Lebanon County's finest, Diamond and Ryan both have PFA orders against them. Diamond has 2 and a public intoxication.

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I agree. Honestly, we can’t let society devolve into accusations equaling guilt. That’s just gonna lead to an unchecked spiral of antagonism and revenge.

It also depends on the type of accusation, though. Like that bozo in federal congress who essentially lied about his entire life - yea, that dude needs to resign because those accusations are easily fact checked through objective public records.

Something like an assault accusation, though - I’m sorry, but that stuff needs to go through court. People really should be innocent until proven guilty in this country, and I say that for anyone.

So if he is admitting guilt, then that’s that I suppose.

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Unrealistic if we forget that other countries rank lower on the corruption index than us

Was his campaign manager who reported his behavior one of the GQP women?

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What a huge disappointment. Come to my door asking for votes. I can't vote because of a marijuana charge. Turned his nose up, the nerve. Just keep your hands to yourself. Dems will win here again.

He resigned. True sign of guilt.

He admitted to it

Don't fuck them. Punish the shit out of them.

Obvious troll is obvious.

That’s the first thought that came to mind.

Great they spoke up, but guess what’s gonna happen the moment someone else says about a sexual assault. Especially accusing a Republican. They’ll go in lock step to defend the creepo.

This dude was such a bozo.

Except the guy is actually a creep. Franken was just thrown under a bus for no reason.

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Just a reminder: shitty behavior isn’t limited to one party. Dems shouldn’t stick their heads on the sand, but it seems they have. Shame. Nobody has integrity anymore above us simple commoners.

[laughs in Trump]

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Cry more

I just meant that there are tons of people with SA allegations working for the government that are high up, and acknowledging it’s good we got rid of at least one….Confused as to why this was taken negatively lol.

Also this wasn’t directed toward PA representatives, was directed toward all politicians…

It came off as 1 democrat down a million to go. Anyone with SA allegations should be expelled, I agree.

Omg nooo lemme edit haha

As a Delco guy, absolutely no chance the seat flips.

The county RAPIDLY went through demographic change that had it D across the board, and Zabel's district specifically is VERY blue right now.

The local GOP committee where I am went from serious contenders prior to 2018 to completely non functional in 2023. They aren't fielding candidates, they aren't fundraising, they don't show up at polls on election day anymore, it's over.

Actual false accusations are vanishingly rare and not a threat to non-abusers, despite what some media might tell you

See ya!!!

Hope charges are filed against him .