4 December 2019 — 1710 mst
Her husband’s legal troubles imperil Melissa Romano’s
campaign for Montana’s superintendent of schools
Democrat Melissa Romano’s campaign for Montana’s Office of Public Instruction was damaged severely by this week’s revelation that her husband, Eric Lehman, is expected to plead guilty to charges of possessing dangerous drugs, including LSD, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
The charges against Eric Lehman, who resigned his teaching post at Hawthorne Elementary School as of Nov. 1, said the drugs were found in a bag in his vehicle after a traffic stop and vehicle impoundment in late August in Helena.
Prosecutors told MTN News they’ve been negotiating a plea deal with Lehman, who is expected to plead guilty. An arraignment is scheduled next week in District Court in Helena. [Mike Dennison, KXLH]
Romano narrowly lost to Elsie Arntzen in the 2016 election for OPI. She’s backed by the teachers’ unions, and until now generally was considered a strong candidate. According to her latest C-5 campaign finance report, she has approximately $25,000 in cash in her campaign account. That’s not much, and not nearly enough to mount a vigorous campaign against an incumbent.
Democratic leaders and Romano herself now must seriously consider whether she can remain a viable candidate. It would be of no political significance had Lehman been accused of using marijuana illegally. But charges of possessing cocaine, LSD, and meth, are political poison. Voters will wonder, justifiably, whether Romano knew what her husband was doing, and whether she attempted to help him conceal his alleged crimes.
If Lehman is convicted, if he ends up in the slammer, voters will be loath to entrust the education of their children to a woman married to such a man.
Romano needs to consider withdrawing her candidacy for OPI. The Democratic Party needs to find a candidate to replace her or to provide her with a primary challenge.