Former Montana Labor Commissioner Laurie Esau stepped down from her position following an arrest for driving under the influence. Esau, a member of Governor Greg Gianforte's cabinet, submitted her resignation on Monday, just one day after being booked into the Missoula County Detention Facility. Jail records indicate she was released on an $885 bond after being charged with misdemeanor DUI.
Esau's resignation letter offered no explanation for her sudden departure and did not address the arrest. She was scheduled for a court appearance in Missoula on Tuesday. Attempts to reach Esau for comment were unsuccessful.
Governor Gianforte has appointed John Elizandro, the Department of Labor's Chief of Staff, as acting commissioner. Esau had been appointed to the position by Gianforte in December 2020. She brought decades of experience in federal and state government to the role, managing a department of over 600 employees and an annual budget of around $90 million. Prior to her work in Montana, Esau served as chief of staff for Minnesota Republican Representative Erik Paulsen.
