Sources: Ex-State lawmaker Don Shooter on life support

PHOENIX - Don Shooter, a former state lawmaker who was ousted following allegations of sexual harassment towards women, is hospitalized and on life support.

Arizona Senate President Karen Fann confirmed on Thursday that Shooter remains in the intensive care unit at a Phoenix hospital.

At the time of his ouster from the Arizona State Legislature in 2018, Shooter is believed to be the first state lawmaker in the U.S. to be expelled from his seat since the #MeToo movement against sexual misconduct began in 2017. The fallout came months after State Rep. Michelle Ugenti-Rita (R) said Shooter propositioned her for sex and repeatedly commented on her breasts.

In the weeks following State Rep. Ugenti-Rita's accusation, Mi-Ai Parrish, a woman who once worked as the publisher of the Arizona Republic newspaper also complained about inappropriate behavior and comments by Shooter.

Parrish, who is Asian-American, wrote in a column online that Shooter told her during a meeting in his office that he had done everything on his "bucket list," except for "those Asian twins in Mexico."

Shooter said at the time that his actions did not justify expulsion. Since his expulsion, other legislators nationwide have resigned or been stripped of their leadership posts after being accused of misconduct.

The Yuma County Board of Supervisors eventually picked Tim Dunn to replace Shooter in State Legislative District 13, which runs from the western Phoenix suburbs to Yuma. Shooter later filed to run for State Senate in Legislative District 13 in 2018, but came in 3rd place in a three-way primary race for the GOP nomination.

The Associated Press (AP) contributed to this report.