BREAKING: Katie Hill Issues Statement Announcing Resignation (UPDATED)

By Jennifer Van Laar | 7:16 PM on October 27, 2019

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*Uploaded 10/27/19 by JVL, from Katie Hill for Congress facebook page*

Following RedState’s series of articles on Rep. Katie Hill (D-CA), Politico is reporting that the freshman from Agua Dulce, CA is resigning.

NEWS: Rep. Katie Hill resigning after allegations of improper relationships with staffers.

Story W @BresPolitico https://t.co/DdgVBCWvdC

— Heather Caygle (@heatherscope) October 27, 2019

Hill issued an official statement on her Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/RepKatieHill/photos/a.1171605409672163/1389852531180782/?type=3&theater

Hill wrote:

It is with a broken heart that today I announce my resignation from Congress. This is the hardest thing I have ever had to do, but I believe it is the best thing for my constituents, my community, and our country.

This is what needs to happen so that the good people who supported me will no longer be subjected to the pain inflicted by my abusive husband and the brutality of hateful political operatives who seem to happily provide a platform to a monster who is driving a smear campaign built upon cyber exploitation. Having private photos of personal moments weaponized against me has been an appalling invasion of my privacy. It’s also illegal and we are currently pursuing all our available legal options. However, I know that as long as I am in Congress we’ll live fearful of what might come next and howmuch it will hurt. That’s a feeling I know all too well. It’s the feeling I decided to leave when I left my marriage, and one I will not tolerate being forced upon others.

I can no longer allow my community, family, friends, staff, supporters, and especially the children who look up to me as a role model to suffer this unprecedented brand of cruelty.

For the mistakes made along the way and the people who have been hurt, I am so sorry and I am learning. I am not a perfect person, and never pretended to be. It’s one of the things that made my race so special. I hope it showed others that they do belong, that their voice does matter, and that they do have a place in this country. That is something I believe with all my heart. Those of you who know me personally know that I’m a fighter and it’s thanks to countless other fighters who supported me that we were able to stand up for the ideals we believe in. Now my fight is going to be to defeat this type of exploitation that so many women are victims to and which will keep countless women and girls from running for office and entering public life. Thank you for allowing me to turn my focus to this particular battle right now, and know that I stand with you as we continue to fight for the many important issues that brought me to Congress in the first place. I love this country, I love all of you, and I thank you for allowing me the great honor of serving you.

As RedState reported earlier today, DCCC sources commented off the record early Sunday that the DCCC was looking for a replacement for Hill, and once one was found that Hill would resign. Within the district, the consensus is that the replacement candidate will be Asm. Christy Smith, who just completed her first term representing the area and campaigned with Hill.