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Citing Racial Harassment, Vermont's Only Black Female Lawmaker Resigns

Rep. Kiah Morris, D-Vermont, announced the move Tuesday on Facebook and further explained her motivations in interviews this week. Morris represented the town of Bennington.

By Joel Shannon

The only black woman in Vermont's Legislature has resigned, citing racially-charged harassment and ongoing family health concerns.

Rep. Kiah Morris, D-Vermont, announced the move Tuesday on Facebook and further explained her motivations in interviews this week. Morris represented the town of Bennington.

“There was vandalism within our home ... We found there were swastikas painted on the trees in the woods near where we live. We had home invasions," she told the New York Times on Sunday. She did not provide the publication a timeline for the crimes.

Morris had announced in August that she would not seek reelection, citing "divisive" discourse on social media. In Tuesday's announcement, she accelerated her departure, citing family challenges. 

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