Congressman Joe Barton is facing more scrutiny after a woman shared a series of sexually suggestive messages she received from the Texas lawmaker, who was married at the time of their correspondence.
Barton, who was forced to apologize last week for texting a nude photo of himself to another woman, confirmed on Wednesday to the Star-Telegram that the exchange with the woman, Kelly Canon, happened.
The messages included a blend of politics and questions about whether Canon was ‘wearing a tank top only … and no panties.’ In another message, he told Canon that she was ‘soft and curvy.’
The Congressman first started messaging Canon on Facebook in 2012 and 2013 while he was married to his second wife, Terri.
Canon, who is a Republican, told the Star-Telegram that for several years she had exchanged messages with 68-year-old Barton that mostly discussed politics.
Congressman Joe Barton is facing more scrutiny after a woman shared a series of sexually suggestive messages she received from the Texas lawmaker, who was married at the time of their correspondence. This comes a week after a nude photo of Barton leaked forcing him to apologize (right)
Barton (above) confirmed on Wednesday to the Star-Telegram that the exchange with the woman, Kelly Canon, happened. The messages included a blend of politics and questions about whether Canon was ‘wearing a tank top only … and no panties’
During on exchange, Barton was telling Canon that he was tired and getting ready to go to sleep
But before ending the message, he asked her to tell him what he was wearing
‘He took it a step too far on rare occasions,’ Canon, who lives in Arlington, said.
‘He was very fascinated with my attire, to the point of being inappropriate.’
The woman shared a number of messages including when the Congressman questioned her on June 13, 2012 where he asked about her wearing panties after midnight.
She responded: ‘Ok, thats enough. You know my attire! Good night ….’
Barton responded: ‘answer me miss evasive.’
Then, at 11.40pm on June 18, 2012, the Republican lawmaker sent a message: ‘wanna tell me what u r wearing or not wearing tonight miss sweet dreams.’
Canon replied that she was still in her ‘regular clothes’ and that she had not ‘called it a night yet’. In another conversation, he said that Canon was ‘a sexy woman’
Canon said that he was a ‘good’ man since he was married to his second wife at the time
He then also asked her what she was wearing, ‘if anything’
Barton then kept asking her what she was wearing before she tried to shut him down
She responded that she was ‘still in my ‘regular’ clothes!’ ‘
During an exchange on October 2,2013, Barton sent her a message that said ‘men are men … and u r definitely a sexy woman.’
Canon responded that ‘all the good ones are married,’ to which Barton replied: ‘I dont know about good … but I am married.’
She then said: ‘Well, that means you’re one of the ‘good’ ones, then!’
He simply wrote: ‘Thank u.’
In another exchange she gave him ‘a parting hug’, to which he said she was ‘soft n (sic) curvy’
Of Barton (right), Canon said: ‘He took it a step too far on rare occasions. He was very fascinated with my attire, to the point of being inappropriate.’
‘Just calling ’em as I see ’em!’ Canon replied.
Barton added: ‘but … I am not thinking good thoughts at this moment … blush.’
Canon shared that she and Barton never had a physical relationship and that she ‘never considered that’.
But the woman did say she believes it’s ‘inappropriate for a congressman to be talking to a constituent like that. … He wouldn’t say that if I was a guy.’
In confirming to the Star-Telegram that the exchange with Canon did happen, Barton said: ‘I will affirm I did have that exchange, but nothing more.’
Canon claims that Barton did not offer an apology for the messages, but a consultant for the politician said that he did apologize.
Last week Barton said he was in a ‘consensual’ sexual relationship when he sent a nude photo of himself that was leaked and forced him to apologize for not using ‘better judgment’.
Barton, who is twice divorced, does not plan to step down from his position despite several Texas lawmakers calling for him to resign.
He has since drawn a Republican primary challenger after the nude photo circulated on social media.
Jake Ellzey, a retired Naval combat pilot and member of the Texas Veterans Commission, filed paperwork with the Republican Party of Texas.
Barton, who is from Ennis and is Texas’ most-senior congressman, announced his re-election campaign last month.
The latest news about Barton comes as several other members in elected positions are also facing calls to step down after sexual misconduct allegations have been made against them.