Lt. Governor Removes Controversial Senator From Human Trafficking Task Force

By Austin Jenkins

On Monday, Washington state’s Lieutenant Governor Brad Owen removed Republican Senator Pam Roach from the human trafficking task force. He took the action after receiving several complaints about the senator’s conduct at a December meeting of the taskforce.

Her words have gotten her in trouble many times over a long career in the Washington Senate. In a letter to Roach, Lt. Governor Owen describes her comments at the December 14th taskforce meeting as “vile.” Roach quickly launched a counter-offensive against Owen who’s a Democrat.

“He just makes it up and puts in the letter,” says Roach.

One of the allegations is that Roach accused victims of human trafficking of tattooing their faces and getting piercings in a deliberate effort to not fit in.

Roach says, “That had nothing to do with trafficking.” She was talking about homeless youth—not victims.

She says, “I probably said if you have tattoos and nose rings it might be a little difficult to get a job.”

This isn’t the first time Roach has been reprimanded by Lt. Governor Owen. In his letter he says he believes she should be removed from the state Senate based on years of “egregious and offensive behavior.”