Aaron Coleman

After his primary victory, his past history generated significant controversy, leading to him admitting that he had leaked revenge porn in middle school when he was 12.[10] He has admitted to bullying, extortion, and threats of physical violence also at his middle school.[11] The Kansas City Star reported that in May 2015, when Coleman was 14, he was arrested and charged for threatening to shoot a girl at another high school.[11][12] Coleman pleaded guilty in the criminal case in which he threatened to go to the girl's high school, shoot her, and turn the gun on himself.[13] He was initially charged with a felony count of making a criminal threat but later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge of harassment.[12]

Coleman's ex-girlfriend said that on December 27, 2019, Coleman choked and slapped her in a hot tub; in a text message a few days later, Coleman wrote that he had smacked her.[14] Coleman's ex-girlfriend said that in another incident on December 31, Coleman slapped and choked her again, and told her to kill herself.[14] The Topeka Capitol-Journal reported that Coleman also texted her "I hope you get abducted raped chopped up and have ya pieces scattered and Burnt in different locations."[15] Furthermore, Coleman told her, "If you get pregnant, I will have to kill you and the baby."[15]

Coleman apologized for his actions, saying he had experienced child abuse from his elementary school teachers. On June 17, 2020, Coleman said, on Facebook, that he spent “the vast majority” of his elementary school education “in a closet” instead of getting proper help at school. Coleman claims that he was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder at 15.[9] Turner USD #202 school district, where Coleman went to elementary school, stated that they do not “put kids in closets”, denying Coleman's allegation.[9]

The Kansas City Star reported that in August 2020, during the campaign, Coleman said to former Republican state lawmaker John Whitmer that he would "laugh and giggle when you get COVID and die".[9][16] Coleman claimed Whitmer was repeating anti-mask “conspiracy theories”.[16] He compared it to someone getting into an automobile accident because they were talking on a cellphone while driving.[16]

On December 4, 2020, Kathleen Lynch, a Wyandotte County, Kansas judge, issued a temporary anti-stalking order (no-contact order) against Coleman after Brandie Armstrong, the campaign manager for Frownfelter, accused Coleman of harassment. The two later reached an agreement after the case and order was dismissed.[17][12][18][19]

On December 21, 2020, seven recently elected female Democratic state legislators signed a letter calling on Coleman to resign before he takes office on January 11, 2021. The seven female legislators included Jennifer Day, Mari Lynn Poskin, Stephanie Byers, Linda Featherston, Christina Haswood, Jo Ella Hoye, and Lindsay Vaughn.[20]

In October 2021, Coleman was banned from all offices of the Kansas Department of Labor after allegedly accosting a police officer in "a loud and demanding tone" when demanding to enter a section of the agency's Topeka headquarters that was restricted to department employees only; according to a statement by the agency, Coleman said that his position as a legislator should have exempted him from the rule. Coleman disputed this account, claiming that he was on the premises to help "constituents frustrated with the agency."[21]

On October 30, 2021, Coleman was arrested by Overland Park police on a domestic violence charge. The Kansas City Star reported that Coleman is alleged to have threatened to attack his grandfather and is accused of hitting and spitting on his brother.[22] Representative Tom Sawyer, the House Democratic Leader, called Coleman's arrest "extremely disturbing news," and said Coleman should "resign and get the help he badly needs."[23] He was released on bail with the judge ordering him to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow recommendations by the provider.[24]

On November 28, 2021, Coleman was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence.[25] Sawyer again requested Coleman's resignation, as did Governor Laura Kelly and State House Speaker Ron Ryckman Jr., with Kelly calling for the legislature to expel him if he does not voluntarily leave office.[22][25]