Disgraced former Rep. Blake Farenthold has refused a demand by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott to pay for the emergency special election to fill his vacant seat.
“Since I didn’t call it and I don’t think it’s necessary, I shouldn’t be asked to pay for it,” Farenthold said in a letter Wednesday, according to the Texas Tribune.
Late last month, Abbot pushed Farenthold to fund the special election because he refused to reimburse the $84,000 in taxpayer funds he used to settle a sexual harassment claim.
Farenthold was sued in December 2014 by his former communications director, Lauren Greene, for gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and creating a hostile work environment.
Farenthold resigned from Congress in April amid controversy. The House Ethics Committee reportedly was planning to rule against Farenthold in its investigation into the Texas Republican right before he made the announcement.
