Newport elections administrator Stephen Waluk was accused earlier this month of sending alleged racist, homophobic and sexist texts in communications with a former staff member, during Waluk’s time as a District Court administrator. Waluk left that position in December 2022.

City Manager Joseph Nicholson hired Waluk on April 18. Both he and Mayor Xay Khamsyvoravanong indicated they were unaware of the texts before the hire. The mayor said that he, by law, is not involved in the hiring of city employees, though he said hiring Waluk was a mistake.

There were multiple failures in the process, both in the hiring of and in the failure to fire Waluk, Khamsyvoravong said, adding that he faults Nicholson, the city manager.

“Look, this is a public-facing position,” Khamsyvoravong said of the role of the election administrator. “It’s very important that the public feel that they know and trust the integrity of the individual that’s running their elections. Originally, this [firing Waluk] is a decision that should have been made by the city manager, but it was not made by the city manager.”

Waluk tendered his resignation to Nicholson, effective July 21, 2023.

Khamsyvoravong said he’s glad Waluk decided to resign, so that moving forward the public has no question about the city of Newport being a fair and welcoming place.

“Let me be crystal clear: I would never support this type of language or conduct in City Hall,” Khamsyvoravong said. “It’s important that we give hate no quarter in our community.”

A longtime resident of Newport, Waluk, 45, has served in numerous public positions, including on the city council, the zoning board and as the mayor. He said he understands Khamsyvoravong’s position, and he asserted that the texts and behaviors happened years ago, not in his current role as election administrator.

“When I was mayor of Newport, I also felt strongly that inappropriate behavior would need to be addressed, but I think it needs to be said that it didn’t happen at City Hall,” Waluk said. “I consider the mayor a good friend, and he has a responsibility to do what’s in the best interest of the City of Newport, and he’s done that.”

Waluk admitted to using some of the language, but disputes the veracity of some of the claims. He said he’s horrified and embarrassed by the language, and acknowledged the racist, sexist, homophobic nature of the words, but said he does not believe they reflect the work he did as a public servant and leader.

“Obviously, it was a real punch in the gut to see that. And to see that I’d said those things, because it doesn’t reflect me as a person,” Waluk said. “Obviously, it doesn’t make me look good. And it certainly did not reflect the job that I performed while in the District Court. There was not one accusation that I treated people in any way unfairly, or disrespectfully, or in any discriminatory fashion [before the recent allegations.]”

Waluk acknowledged that he is seeking professional help to understand his use of the language and learn from his mistakes.

“There is a certain dichotomy, in that I did use this terrible language. And I admit I did that,” Waluk said. “But it is also not how I behaved, or it didn’t reflect on the relationships I had with people. So there’s something that needs to be fixed and I recognize that. I’m trying to grow every day.”

Khamsyvoravong said he recognizes things need to be fixed in the hiring process.

“I’m going to be working with the City Council to figure out what protocols we can put in place to make sure that this never happens again in the future,” Khamsayvoravong said.

Waluk leaves almost six weeks ahead of the primary election in the 1st Congressional District race, of which Newport is a part, on September 5.

“I’m going to walk out of City Hall on Friday with my head held high,” Waluk said. “I’m really disappointed because I really did think, I know, I was doing a good job.”

Khamsyvoravong said Waluk’s departure will not affect the upcoming election.

The mayor said the city has the personnel in place to handle the upcoming special election and that they can run a fair election without immediately filling the vacancy left by Waluk.

Cheryl has worked as a photographer and reporter for newspapers, wire services and European press agencies. She is a multi-lingual storyteller and educator with years of global experience. As an international...