Matt Manweller
{{Short description|American political scientist and politician}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name = Matt Manweller
| image =
| caption =
| state_house = Washington
| district = 13th
| term_start = {{Start date|2012|11|29}}
| term_end = {{End date|2019|01|14}}
| predecessor = Bill Hinkle
| successor = Alex Ybarra
| birth_name = Mathew Shon Manweller
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1969|08|23}}
| birth_place = California{{cite web|url=https://leg.wa.gov/LIC/Documents/Historical/Legislative%20Manuals/2017-2018%20Legislative%20Manual.pdf|title=Legislative Manual, 2017-2018|work=Washington Legislature|year=2017|access-date=2021-12-24}}
| party = Republican
| spouse =
| children =
| alma_mater = Whitman College (BA)
University of Montana (MA)
University of Oregon (PhD)
| religion =
}}
Mathew Shon Manweller (born August 23, 1969) is an American Republican politician and political scientist politician who served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 13th Legislative District, from 2012 to 2019.{{cite web
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|title=Matt Manweller
|publisher=votesmart.org
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|accessdate=2012-12-24
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Education
Manweller earned a Bachelor of Arts from Whitman College, a Master of Arts from the University of Montana, and PhD from the University of Oregon.
Career
Manweller worked as a Professor of Political Science at Central Washington University.
During his tenure in the Washington House of Representatives, Manweller was focused on creating a smaller, less expensive, more efficient government that provides solution-oriented leadership. Most recently his efforts prioritized the move against a state income tax, increasing funding for vocational education, reducing forest fires, and preventing school shootings.
During his three terms, Matt Manweller was outspoken about controversial topics such as free speech on college campuses, bathroom bills, and the Washington Supreme Court.
= Central Washington University Sex Investigation =
He was initially investigated by CWU in 2012, the year he was first elected to the legislature, on claims of sexual harassment by students while teaching. He obtained a restraining order against the university to prevent release of the 2012 report; the order was lifted four days before election day. In both 2012 and 2013, outside investigators concluded that there was "evidence to suggest" that Manweller violated the university's sexual-harassment policies.
While the university did not punish him following the 2012 investigation, in 2013 Manweller's promotion to full professor was delayed and he was ordered to complete sexual harassment training.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chronicle.com/article/Central-Washington-U-Places/242032|title=Central Washington U. Places Professor — and State Lawmaker — on Leave Amid Allegation|last=Martinez|first=Julia|date=11 December 2017|website=Chronicle of Higher Education|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=17 December 2017}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/state-rep-matt-manweller-has-faced-sexual-misconduct-complaints-from-students/|title=Washington state Rep. Matt Manweller has faced sexual misconduct complaints from students|date=2017-12-06|work=The Seattle Times|access-date=2017-12-14|language=en-US}}
On December 11, 2017, Manweller was placed on administrative leave by Central Washington University, following additional complaints from ex-students. CWU investigated Manweller for "inappropriate conduct."{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/times-watchdog/washington-state-rep-matt-manweller-placed-on-leave-at-cwu-job/|title=Washington state Rep. Matt Manweller placed on leave at CWU job|date=11 December 2017}} The Seattle Times has additionally reported on a complaint from a Legislative Aide in Olympia, Washington.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestranger.com/slog/2017/12/11/25622027/central-washington-university-is-investigating-rep-matt-manweller-for-something-but-they-wont-say-what|title = Central Washington University is Investigating Rep. Matt Manweller for Something, but They Won't Say What}}
On December 14, 2017, Manweller "resigned his leadership position" as assistant floor leader and was " 'removed' from his position as the Ranking Republican on the House Labor and Workplace Standards Committee."{{cite web| url = http://nwnewsnetwork.org/post/manweller-stripped-committee-assignment-resigns-assistant-floor-leader| title = Manweller Stripped Of Committee Assignment, Resigns As Assistant Floor Leader {{!}} Northwest News Network| date = 14 December 2017}}
Manweller filed for re-election in May 2018.
Manweller’s employment as a tenured professor was terminated by Central Washington University on August 14, 2018, after an investigation by an independent third party hired by CWU to evaluate accusations of inappropriate behavior made by former students.{{Cite web|url=http://www.cwu.edu/central-washington-university-statement-professor-matt-manweller|title=CWU {{!}} Central Washington University Statement on Professor Matt Manweller|website=www.cwu.edu|language=en|access-date=2018-08-14}}
On September 21, 2018, Manweller was asked by party leaders to resign his position in the Washington State House of Representatives after it became widely known that he had had a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old girl, a former high school student of his.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nwpb.org/2018/09/21/washington-house-republicans-ask-manweller-to-resign-after-former-student-alleges-underage-relationship|title= Washington House Republicans ask Manweller to resign after former student alleges underage relationship|website=nwpb.org|date= 22 September 2018|language=en|access-date=2018-10-24}}{{cite news | publisher = yakimaherald.com | date = December 25, 2018 | title = Rep. Matt Manweller to step down on Jan. 14 | url = https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/elections/rep-matt-manweller-to-step-down-on-jan/article_f857eb76-03be-11e9-8a1a-db3876c6d36b.html}}
In 2019, Manweller settled a wrongful termination lawsuit with Central Washington University for $155,000.{{Cite web|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/ex-gop-lawmaker-matt-manweller-settles-lawsuit-against-university-for-155k/|title=Ex-GOP lawmaker Matt Manweller settles lawsuit against university for $155K|date=2 April 2019}}
References
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Category:Republican Party members of the Washington House of Representatives
Category:21st-century members of the Washington State Legislature
Category:People from Ellensburg, Washington
Category:Whitman College alumni