Edwards Urges Senator To Resign After Domestic Abuse Arrests

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Gov. John Bel Edwards is calling on a state senator to resign after his second arrest on domestic violence charges.

In a statement Tuesday, the governor said he doesn't believe Sen. Troy Brown "can continue to effectively serve his constituents" and he "would welcome" Brown's resignation.

Both men are Democrats. Edwards' comments come after Republicans have criticized Democratic leaders for staying quiet about Brown's charges.

Earlier Tuesday, Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, chair of the state Democratic Party, also questioned if Brown could adequately serve his district.

Brown has been suspended from Senate committees after his July arrest on misdemeanor domestic abuse battery. Police say Brown bit his wife. It was his second arrest on domestic violence charges in eight months.

Brown told NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune that he doesn't plan to resign.

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