Mississippi state GOP lawmaker charged with domestic violence

A Republican state lawmaker in Mississippi was arrested after he allegedly punched his wife for not undressing quickly enough when he wanted to have sex, according to a report from The Sun Herald.

State Rep. Douglas McLeod, 58, was intoxicated when deputies arrived at his home around 9 p.m. Saturday, according to an investigative report from the George County Sheriff’s Department obtained by the newspaper.

{mosads}Deputies arrived at his Lucedale home after receiving a call about an assault and were met at the door by McLeod, who was reportedly stumbling, speaking with slurred speech and holding an alcoholic drink.

McLeod’s wife was described by deputies as shaking and upset, according to the Sun Herald.

She said her husband was drunk and “just snapped,” something she reportedly said happens often when he is under the influence.

Authorities believed the state lawmaker punched his wife in the face, giving her a bloody nose. Deputies wrote in the report obtained by the outlet that there was blood in the couple’s bedroom.

She declined to go to the hospital with police but said she would have her daughter take her to get her injuries checked.

McLeod was taken into custody on a charge of misdemeanor domestic violence and booked in the George County jail by early Sunday morning, according to the newspaper. He is out of jail on a $1,000 signature bond.

George County Sheriff Keith Harvard told the paper the investigation is still open.

The Hill has reached out to McLeod for comment.

Following the Sun Herald’s report of his arrest, McLeod faced calls to resign from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle in the Mississippi legislature.

Mississippi state Sen. David Blount (D) tweeted Tuesday: “Rep. McLeod should resign.”

Rep. McLeod should resign. https://t.co/4A9QcmbD3T

— David Blount (@SenDavidBlount) May 21, 2019

Mississippi House Speaker Philip Gunn (R) on Tuesday said that McLeod should resign from his position “if in fact, these allegations are true,” the Herald reported.

“These actions are unacceptable for anyone,” Gunn said.

The chairman of the Mississippi Republican Party issued a similar statement to the Clarion Ledger.

“If the allegations against Rep. McLeod are true, he should resign immediately. Violence in any relationship is unacceptable, and I condemn this conduct in the strongest possible terms,” Chairman Lucien Smith said.