CHEYENNE – Amid ongoing accusations of sexual misconduct, Wyoming Secretary of State Ed Murray announced Friday he would resign.
“After deep and profound contemplation, I am announcing my resignation as Secretary of State, effective today,” Murray said in a press release. “I step aside with peace and serenity in order that I may fully focus on what is most important in my life: My marriage, my family and my health.”
In December, a Colorado woman, Tatiana Maxwell, was the first to bring accusations of sexual assault against Murray. Maxwell said the alleged assault took place in the early 1980s.
Murray has denied the accusation.
In January, a second woman, identified as Theresa Sullivan Twiford, said Murray forcibly kissed her in front of his home almost 30 years ago, when Twiford was 18 and babysitting for the family.
Twiford is the daughter of former Wyoming Governor Mike Sullivan. Twiford told the Casper Star-Tribune last month she came forward after hearing Maxwell’s story. Murray has since said he had no recollection of the evening in question or Twiford’s claims.
In the Friday press release, he said he had not been asked to step down from the Secretary of State’s office. Dealing with the repercussions of the women’s accusations was the driving force behind the decision, he said.
“I’ve come to the realization that I am unable to focus entirely on serving the good people of Wyoming while simultaneously need to process all the fallout from the allegations, for which I have issued previous statements,” Murray said. “At all times during my tenure as Secretary of State, I’ve upheld the trust and fiduciary duties of my office to the highest of any and all standards.”
