Relief, and questions, after ouster of Shooter

To the blessed relief of all womankind, Arizona Rep. Don Shooter is now ex-Rep. Don Shooter.

But here’s the most disappointing thing.

Not one of the state’s top officials called for Shooter’s ouster upon release of the 80-page report into complaints that he sexually harassed multiple women.

Not one was moved to send him packing after reading that Shooter “engaged in a pattern of unwelcome and hostile conduct toward other members of the Legislature and those who have business at the Capitol.”

Gov. Doug Ducey — who in his State of the State speech said, “Every individual deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. Always. No exceptions” — didn’t call for his ouster.

House Speaker J.D. Mesnard, RChandler, didn’t call for his ouster — at least, not after reading what’s been going on. He said Shooter’s behavior rated only a censure.

It was left to House Majority Whip Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, to stand up and say what was so desperately needing to be said.

“Please give this House the dignity it deserves and step down,” she said on the House floor on Wednesday.

Townsend gave Shooter 24 hours to resign, or she would call for a vote to expel him.

Turns out, Shooter self-immolated before the clock ran out, On Thursday morning, he sent his colleagues a bizarre letter that was seen as payback to Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, the first woman to publicly complain about him.

That was enough for Mesnard, who said Shooter’s letter “represents a clear act of retaliation and intimidation.”

As a result, the House speaker called for — and won — his ouster. So Shooter’s gone.

And good riddance.

The legislator, previously best known for the time he charged into his grandson’s classroom and started screaming at the teacher as the kids looked on, has Shootered himself in the foot once too often.

After the vote, even the previously silent governor was on board with kicking Shooter out.

“They did the right thing,” Ducey said in a statement. “This should send a strong message.”

It will. But I have to wonder why it took Shooter’s revenge letter to finally unlock the outrage of our leaders and send that message.

What? Ogling women, making lewd comments about their bodies and jiggling his junk in the face of young lobbyist wasn’t enough to publicly call for him to get out?