Opponents call for Washington Rep. Matt Sheas resignation

Numerous opponents are calling for a conservative state lawmaker from Spokane Valley to resign after reports that he was collecting intelligence on local progressive leaders. The union of the Spokane Police Department has joined Spokane City Council members in calling for state Rep. Matt Shea's resignation. The Guardian and The Spokesman-Review have recently reported that the Spokane Valley lawmaker compiled dossiers on local leaders, including Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart, Councilwoman Lori Kinnear and Councilman Breean Beggs. Stuckart, Kinnear and Beggs called for Shea's resignation over the weekend. So did the Spokane chapter of the NAACP, which said that Shea "uses his platform to promote hate and violence." Shea has not commented on the resignation calls. The state House of Representatives is investigating whether Shea has prompted political violence. Last week, Shea made headlines again when leaked emails showed that he has had close ties with a group that trained children and young men for religious combat in Washington state.