Missouri House adopts ethics report, imposes sanctions on Rep. Jeremy Dean

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — The Missouri House on Jan. 21 voted to adopt a report from its Committee on Ethics and imposed sanctions on Representative Jeremy Dean following testimony from a colleague who said she received unwanted, harassing text messages from a fellow lawmaker.

The chamber approved the committee’s report, dated Jan. 7, 2026, by a roll-call tally of 138 yeas and 10 nays. The sanctions — adopted immediately — include removal from any committee assignments for the remainder of the 103rd General Assembly, required attendance at additional training in preventing harassment in the workplace, a directive that the respondent refrain from any contact with the complainant and keep a physical separation of at least 50 feet, and reassignment of seating on the House floor and parking privileges.

Representative from Jasper County, who moved that the House third-read and adopt the committee report, told colleagues the ethics panel conducted a formal hearing Oct. 29, 2025, reviewed testimony and evidence, and voted unanimously to reprimand Representative Jeremy Dean. "The committee voted unanimously to reprimand Representative Jeremy Dean," the mover said.

A member identified in the transcript as the representative from Jefferson County delivered extended, emotional testimony describing the impact of two text messages she said were sent by a colleague while he was on the House floor. She said the messages reopened trauma she had previously disclosed publicly and that an emailed apology was "half hearted, unsigned, emailed, and cold." She told the chamber, "Silence is far more dangerous than discomfort," and said that the conduct was "deliberated. It was calculated, and it was harmful."

The Jefferson County representative said she had followed the ethics process and declined interviews, but that public statements and social-media commentary had intensified the harm. She said the sanctions recommended by the ethics committee and adopted by the House fell short of the expulsion she and some colleagues considered appropriate, but that the current vote imposed specific, immediate consequences.

The transcript records that the Jefferson County representative also reported that the lawmaker she accused, described in the discussion as the representative from the 132nd District, denied the allegations in public statements and framed his words as a heated, momentary reaction; the record does not include a direct statement from him on the House floor during this session.

After debate, the majority leader moved the previous question to end debate; that procedural motion passed, 138–8. The subsequent final vote to adopt House Complaint No. 1 and impose the committee’s sanctions recorded 138 yeas and 10 nays.

The House then took no further disciplinary action on the floor; the body adjourned and is scheduled to reconvene at 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 26, 2026.