State Rep Claims Senator Used Obscenity Against Her During Heated Moment At Capitol

Haughton Representative Dodie Horton claims New Orleans Senator Karen Peterson told her “shut the f--- up” in the chaotic final minutes of the regular session.

The House was attempting to approve a budget through procedural moves, and Horton says there was well orchestrated chaos when members of the black caucus continued to jeer in the back.

“I could not hear what the motions were to make sure I voted correctly. I turned around and I said, ‘Y’all need to be quiet,’ when Karen Carter Peterson told me to shut the f up,” Horton said.

Horton told our news partner 710 KEEL in Shreveport that Peterson did apologize via text after the incident, but says she has yet to respond to the message. She says several lawmakers and witnesses heard the comment from the New Orleans Senator and the chairperson of the Louisiana Democratic Party.

“I said, ‘You cannot come into our House and tell me to shut up.’ Immediately she started to say something back when the other senators stood in front of her, and they opened the door and left,” Horton said.

Horton says she would never disrespect her colleagues or the House in such a manner. She called the ordeal embarrassing and shameful.

“I don’t know any of us that would go into the Senate and cause an uproar and take over Alario’s chamber. He would have had us escorted out by the state police,” Horton said.