9 Times Democrats Proved Their Hypocrisy in a Single Year

Last week, the Chicago Tribune reported Illinois State Sen. Emil Jones III (D) was caught by law enforcement blatantly asking an executive of a red traffic camera light company for a $5,000 bribe and a job for one of his interns. The exchange, recorded by the executive for the FBI, includes the executive describing the need for a “creative way” to get the money to Jones, who said “I get it.”

Jones, who took over the seat from his father in 2009, had just introduced a bill requiring the state study automated traffic enforcement systems. For a fee, Jones was allegedly protecting the company by excluding Illinois suburbs from the study, where the company does much of its business.

The Windy City is legendary for its political corruption, but Democrats have shown a similarly disturbing pattern of thinking themselves above the law from coast to coast. Here’s a taste of that “rules for thee, not for me” mentality just in the last 12 months.

Hardly the Only Lawmaker in Hot Water

In April 2024, Minnesota State Sen. and Air National Guard Lt. Col. Nicole Mitchell (D) was arrested for burglary and charged with first-degree burglary—for breaking into her own stepmother’s home. Earlier this year, an attempt to expel Mitchell failed on a party-line vote. Republicans have accused Mitchell of using her position as a state senator to force a delay in her trial.

In July 2024, the Alabama Attorney General’s office charged State Rep. Kelvin Jamichael Lawrence (D) with two felonies, forgery in the second degree, and possession of a forged instrument in the second degree. The indictment alleges Lawrence falsely made, completed, or altered a builder’s license. Lawrence pleaded not guilty and remains a member of the Alabama House of Representatives.

Lawrence was not the only Alabama lawmaker in legal trouble in 2024. In March 2024, the longest-serving member of the Alabama House of Representatives, John Rogers (D), pleaded guilty to federal conspiracy and obstruction of justice charges. The charges stemmed from what federal prosecutors described as kickback scheme to funnel money from a fund intended for community projects. Rogers resigned his seat as part of his plea deal and was eventually sentenced to 13 months in prison.

In July 2024, a Louisiana State Police trooper stopped State Representative Kendricks “Ken” Brass (D) for swerving in and out of a lane on state highway 44. After performing field sobriety tests, the trooper arrested Brass and officers charged him with operating while intoxicated and driving on roadway lined for traffic.

In March 2024, a grand jury indicted Mississippi State Rep. Keith Jackson (D) with receiving and possession of stolen property. WTOK reported Jackson possessed and used a stolen log trailer in his business. Jackson remains a member of the Mississippi State House and lists his occupation as “Law Enforcement Office.”

In January 2025, Oklahoma State Sen. Regina Goodwin (D) refused to produce a drivers license after she was pulled over for failing to stop at a stop sign. After refusing a dozen times, Goodwin was eventually handcuffed and placed in the back of a patrol vehicle. Goodwin eventually entered into a no contest plea and was convicted on one count of failing to stop for a stop sign.

West Virginia Delegate-elect Joseph de Soto apparently decided to skip a step and went straight to ignoring the law before even taking office. In December 2024, de Soto was arrested for threatening to murder his soon-to-be colleagues—including the Speaker of the House of Delegates—after Republicans discussed expelling him from the caucus.

De Soto switched to the Democratic Party the day prior to his arrest. After he failed to show up to take his oath of office, presumably because of his pre-trial home confinement, the House of Delegates voted to vacate his seat. Democrats have been perfectly happy to claim him as one of their own in order to require his replacement be a Democrat.

In another recent incident, embattled Doltan, Illinois Mayor Tiffany Henyard (D) engaged in a physical fight during a board of trustees meeting. Activist Jedidiah Brown made public comments about a recent investigation into Henyard and called for the election of a new mayor. Henyard’s boyfriend then became engaged in a physical brawl with Brown. Video evidence later showed Henyard running into the melee, though it is unclear if she was attempting to join the fight or break it up. Two of the men involved in the brawl are now suing Henyard, her boyfriend, and others.

A recent investigation headed by former Chicago mayor Lori Lightfoot found Henyard’s administration had engaged in a “concerted, systemic effort” to hid the true financial condition of the village from trustees and the public. Hundreds of thousands of dollars in American Rescue Plan dollars could not be accounted for and city credit card spending spiked in 2023 with little-to-no expense tracking. A court recently held Henyard in contempt for failing to sign off on already approved liquor licenses. Four of Henyard’s six colleagues on the Village Board of Trustees recently voted to request a federal investigation into Henyard. Local officials and community members have resorted to calling on state officials and the state’s attorney to remove her from office.

"Acting Like a Jealous Boyfriend"

In Florida, a former legislative aide is now suing the state House of Representatives over the actions of her former boss, Rep. Daryl Campbell (D). Athena Guice contends the Fort Lauderdale Democrat repeatedly sexually harassed her including acting “like a jealous boyfriend” and telling her she needed to be at meetings because “it’s like you’re my wife.” The lawsuit also contends Campbell repeatedly insisted on sharing bedrooms with Guice on out-of-town trips, taking advantage of her lack of funds for other options.

Guice contends Campbell at one point forbade her from drinking during business trips after seeing her kiss another man at a party. The suit contends Campbell rescinded the rule after admitting he would not require the same of a male aide. Guice also contends Campbell asked her to cook for him on trips and acted offended when she made other sleeping arrangements.

Per the lawsuit, Guice voiced her concerns to other Democratic members of the Florida House of Representatives, concerns which got back to Campbell who threatened to fire her.

While these are only a handful of the thousands of state and local officeholders in the U.S., it is clear we need to demand better from our leaders. Elected officials should lead by example, not serve as cautionary tales.

(READ MORE: The Lawfare Campaign to Stop DOGE is Even More Corrupt Than You Think)