Senator Republican Leader Mark Johnson released the following statement on the ruling delaying Sen. Nicole Mitchell trial until after session concludes:

“The Senate has a responsibility to hold itself to the highest standards. It’s been months of questions and speculation about Sen. Nicole Mitchell’s actions in April last year, and a bipartisan group of Senators have called for her resignation to stop the distraction.

“Sen. Mitchell’s last-minute decision to request trial delay this week is an abuse of her status as a Senator. She also has the right to waive her privilege to a delay to bring this entire matter to a swift conclusion. This is not a victimless crime; this delay revictimized those involved, and Senate Republicans will not stand idly by while Sen. Mitchell abuses her position to deny justice.”