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Pressure mounts on Kruse to resign from Senate Kruse Saturday Nov 18, 2017 at 6:22 PM Nov 18, 2017 at 6:22 PM By Elon Glucklich The Register-Guard Prominent Oregon politicians, including GOP gubernatorial hopeful Knute Buehler, this week called on Republican state Sen. Jeff Kruse of Roseburg to resign after a female lawmaker formally alleged years of sexual harassment by him while serving in the state Legislature. Buehler, a state representative from Bend, is running for the Republican nomination next year to challenge Gov. Kate Brown. Buehler released a statement Thursday criticizing Kruse for losing “the personal credibility and ability to effectively serve the people of Oregon.” Buehler’s comments came a day after state Sen. Sara Gelser, a Democrat representing Corvallis, filed a complaint alleging years of inappropriate touching and other harassment by Kruse, who has served in the Legislature for more than 20 years. “I believe the multiple allegations against Sen. Kruse and I respect the courage of those who have come forward,” Buehler’s statement said. “The behavior of Sen. Kruse has no place in civil society or the workplace. This is especially true for someone who holds the people’s trust and should set a higher standard of behavior.” Buehler joined Democrats Tobias Read, the Oregon state treasurer, and Democratic Party of Oregon Chairwoman Jeanne Atkins in calling for Kruse to step down. “As more facts emerge and accusations surface, we now know his history of behavior is egregious,” Atkins said. “There must be consequences — not just never-ending investigations and warnings — for a sitting Oregon senator with this record.” The previous day, Oregon Secretary of State Dennis Richardson, the state’s highest ranking Republican, said Kruse should resign if the allegations are found to be true. Kruse told The News-Review of Roseburg on Thursday that he didn’t plan to resign, and he wouldn’t comment during the investigation into Gelser’s complaint. Her complaint alleged that up to 15 other woman have experienced similar behavior by Kruse.