Tom Ross, the now-former mayor of Minot, North Dakota, resigned this week after a stomach-turning scandal involving a sexually explicit video he “accidentally” sent to the city attorney during work hours.
Ross’s resignation comes following a brief sexual harassment investigation initiated after City Attorney Stefanie Stalheim received the explicit footage just minutes after discussing the tragic suicide of a police officer with the mayor.
His political party affiliation was not prominently mentioned in most sources, but some reports explicitly describe him as nonpartisan.
According to the report, Ross bizarrely claimed the video was meant for his girlfriend—whose name supposedly also begins with a “C”—but was mistakenly sent to “City Attorney” allegedly due to a contact mix-up.
Ross thought a quick “delete it and forget it” plea to Stalheim would sweep his filth under the rug. But Stalheim didn’t let this slide.
Two weeks later, she filed a harassment complaint, demanding a formal apology and urging Ross to resign.
Ross “directly caused Stalheim’s inability to work in an environment free from unreasonable sexual harassment and created an offensive work environment.”
According to the New York Post, Minot, a hardworking city of 47,000 just 50 miles from the Canadian border, now faces a 15-day window for residents to petition for a special election.
If no petition arises, the City Council will appoint a replacement from its ranks. One can only hope they’ll pick someone with a shred of integrity—qualities Ross clearly lacked.
In his resignation letter, Ross put on a show of self-pity, citing “mental and physical” tolls from balancing his day job with being mayor.
“Dear Council President Mark Jantzer, City Manager, & City Clerk,
As much as I love the City of Minot and where it is heading, for the last, just about 5 years, I have had my priorities misaligned. Holding a full time job, while trying to be a full time Mayor, and putting my family behind my job and elected position has taken a toll on me, mentally and physically.
While I’ve done my very best to be a good leader, it’s clear that time has come to an end.
What I have attempted to strive for and represent is, l’ve always wanted to put the City of Minot first. Today is no different. I am proud of the work l’ve got to help on with our Great City. But I have realized, I need to step down from the position of Mayor effective April 1st, 2025. The standard I set for myself was too high to sustain.
My focus now will be on my physical and mental health. I have tried too be too much to too many people. I failed. I have had a professional and respectful relationship with every City of Minot Staff member that I have come across. I am proud of that. Unfortunately, I have let them down as a leader, as I have with many in our community.
I thank the council for their teamwork, and wish them the best. My only request is to honor the privacy of my family and myself as we go through this next chapter.”
In a statement to Your News Leader, Tom Ross said:
I do take responsibility for this mistake. I tried to immediately correct it and was unable. I will always have the utmost respect for Stefanie Stalhiem, she is a true professional. The decision I made falls in line with all my work on behalf of the City of Minot. I put my heart and soul into this community. My stepping down is one more decision that is best for all of Minot.
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