KINGSTON – Ulster County Democratic Party Chairman Frank Cardinale said Friday night that based on the investigation that found that County Legislator Hector Rodriguez hit on women by using his position as a public official, the lawmaker should resign immediately.
Cardinale said Rodriguez should also step down from the county and state Democratic committees.
“We applaud the brave women who had the courage to come forward to share their experiences. This behavior is in stark opposition to everything our Democratic Committee strives for and is something that cannot be tolerated,” Cardinale said.
County Executive Patrick Ryan, also a Democrat, said had the actions involved any member of his administration, that would have lead to “a summary dismissal.” He said Rodriguez “violated the public trust, violated women, and is unfit for public service.”
Ryan also urged the county legislature to take “immediate action to condemn Legislator Rodriguez’s behavior and use any and all other means available to them to ensure he is held accountable for his actions.”
Rodriguez has not responded to a request for comment.
