An undated photo of Minnesota state Rep. Jeff Dotseth (R-Kettle River). (Source: Jeff Dotseth for State Representative)

Court records unearthed by the Minnesota Star Tribune revealed that Jeff Dotseth, a Republican member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, was arrested after his ex-wife filed a police report claiming he had assaulted her.

“There were hurtful allegations made against me that I deny, including an affidavit I filed under oath under penalty of perjury,” Dotseth, who is up for reelection, said Monday in response. “Ultimately the charge was dismissed and I pled guilty to disorderly conduct. I now have a cordial relationship with my ex-wife, and have worked to put this difficult chapter of my life behind me.”

Following his arrest, a judge ordered Dotseth to cease contact with then-spouse Penny Kowel, and the judge forbade him from purchasing or using a gun and only permitted to see his daughter under supervision. Dotseth was then charged with domestic assault but pleaded down to a charge of disorderly conduct. 

Dotseth ultimately did not serve any jail time but was forced to complete a “compassion workshop” by the court. 

In an affidavit, Kowal described the 2008 assault as just one incident in a decade-long abusive relationship. She spoke about being kicked, slammed, slapped and choked by Dotseth on multiple occasions. She also referred to an incident wherein Dotseth physically abused their dog. 

“Jeff claims to be a non-violent person. This is most definitely not true,” Kowal said in a court document that accompanied her divorce petition.

Kowal’s son, who wished to remain anonymous, echoed similar experiences. 

“I have been punched, slapped, choked, thrown, hit with things, and kicked by [Dotseth],” Kowal’s son said in his affidavit. “After his violent outbursts we would always go back to living life, forgive and move on. It was never long before he would find something to get mad about.” 

Kowal added that Dotseth “would say things like, if slavery was still around today, he would have slaves.” 

Members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party have called on Dotseth to cease his campaign and resign. 

“Rep. Dotseth isn’t fit to work at an animal shelter or to serve on a school board, much less to run for reelection as a state legislator,” DFL Chair Ken Martin said in a statement. “It is completely despicable for any human being to say that they would own slaves if it were still legal. How can Minnesota Republicans stand by a candidate who has been arrested and subjected to an order for protection for engaging in domestic violence, engaged in animal abuse, and said that he would own slaves if it were still legal today?”