A bipartisan group of lawmakers who took Rep. Ron Erhardt, DFL-Edina, to task for donning a lab coat and stethoscope and claiming on the House floor that he believed humans could contract avian flu for eating the meat of infected turkeys has filed a formal letter of protest and dissent, saying his actions are not his first "disreputable act."
The letter, signed by Republican Reps. Rod Hamilton of Mountain Lake, Dave Baker of Willmar and Tim Miller of Prinzburg, along with DFL Rep. Jeanne Poppe of Austin, was filed in the Journal of the House for Wednesday's session.
In the letter, the representatives, all representing districts impacted by the spread of avian flu, called Erhardt's meandering speech "A grossly misleading and dilatory act." Each of the four immediately called out Erhardt on the floor Tuesday for statements they called misleading and not funny.
"We, the undersigned, feel that Representative Erhardt potentially caused further damage to Minnesota family farmers by suggesting that consumption of Minnesota poultry products is somehow unsafe to humans," the letter said. "He disrespectfully sought a Privilege of the House to make light of a situation that has already led to the death of more than five million birds, the loss of more than 230 jobs, and untold economic impact to the State of Minnesota."
After receiving immediate criticism Tuesday, Erhardt issued a statement of apology, saying he had since learned more about avian flu and was mistaken in implying that turkey meat is unsafe to eat.
The letter goes on to express concern over Erhardt, who at one point in his floor speech claimed to "put on my former doctoring hat and clothes."
"This insinuates that he has some professional medical capacity and authority on the issue. Representative Erhardt is not listed as, nor has he ever claimed to be, a medical professional. This is not the first disreputable act of Representative Erhardt, and we request that in the future he be more respectful to the citizens of Minnesota in the business of the House."
Erhardt, 85, lists his occupation as a financial planner. He has served in the House since 1990 in non-consecutive terms. This is his 11th term.
Read the letter here:
Judge in Trump case orders media not to report where potential jurors work
Suspect in fire outside of US Sen. Bernie Sanders' Vermont office to remain detained, judge says
Biden administration moves to make conservation an equal to industry on US lands
Coalition to submit 900,000 signatures to put tough-on-crime initiative on California ballot
