He’s back: Shooter seen on Senate floor, says he’s working on water plan

The 2019 legislative session is on its third day and expelled lawmaker Don Shooter couldn’t stay away.

Shooter was reconnecting with his former colleagues and mingling on the Senate floor Wednesday morning during the annual Indian Nations and Tribes Legislative Day.

The floor was crowded as members from both chambers and representatives from the state’s tribes and nations trickled in to attend a morning joint session where leaders from the White Mountain Apache Tribe, Hualapai Tribe and Ak-Chin Indian community gave a “State of Tribal Nations” address.

And there was Shooter, comfortable and sociable. In February 2018, Shooter was expelled from the House of Representatives after an investigation found he engaged in a pattern of sexual harassment.

After the House voted 56-3 to expel Shooter, security escorted him off the Capitol premises, The Arizona Republic reported.

Shooter tried to get voters to send him back to the legislature, but came in third in the Republican primary in August 2018.

He told the Mirror he was on the Senate floor Wednesday to work on water.  

“I’m here working on the water project with some clients and stuff,” Shooter said. “I’m just doing it because I think the state of Arizona needs a good water plan. I’m doing it on my own.”

Shooter wouldn’t say who invited him, or who escorted him past the security desk to access the floor.

“Anybody can be on the floor. I mean, look at all these people that aren’t members. They’ve taken my membership, but they haven’t taken my citizenship… yet.”

“I’m a guest… of several members,” he said, adding a wink.