WICHITA—Sedgwick County Commissioner Michael O'Donnell II announced Saturday he would step down if re-elected.
A growing number of GOP leaders in Kansas called for the resignation of O'Donnell and two other elected officials who were recorded planning a cover-up of their role in a plot to smear the Democratic mayor of Wichita.
The controversy stems from an ad that falsely suggested Wichita Mayor Brandon Whipple was accused of sexual harassment when he served in the Kansas Legislature. The ad was published on YouTube during the mayoral election last year.
On Saturday afternoon, O'Donnell wrote, "After much prayer and consideration I’ve realized my candidacy is too much of a distraction and have arrived at the difficult decision to announce that I will not accept a 2nd term as county commissioner, if elected. This would allow the Republican precinct members to select a replacement. This seat is much more important than any one person. Our community deserves a commissioner committed to conservative values and policies that reflect our district.
It has been an honor to serve the citizens of Sedgwick County. I look forward to see the next steps the Lord has for me."
The Wichita City Council passed a resolution on Tuesday saying Councilman James Clendenin had violated the city’s code of ethics. The council also condemned O’Donnell and state Rep. Michael Capps.
“What I heard on the recording represents the very worst of politics and shows they have abused the positions entrusted to them by Kansas voters,” Republican U.S. Rep. Ron Estes said in a Facebook post on Monday night.