Terry Schanz, chief of staff to California Assemblywoman Tina McKinnor, is facing formal HR complaints after crashing a journalist’s sidewalk interview with a crude sign.
Schanz, who earns $207,828 annually in taxpayer-funded compensation, allegedly interrupted independent journalist Nick Shirley on Aug. 19 outside the California Capitol. Shirley, 22, was interviewing lawmakers about Assembly Bill 2624 when Schanz approached with a piece of paper and began shouting.
“Allegedly Nick Shirley Has a Small Penis. Prove Me Wrong,” the sign read.
“Did you guys hear that Nick Shirley has a small penis allegedly?” Schanz asked repeatedly, according to video of the encounter.
Shirley posted video of the confrontation to his social media accounts, identifying Schanz as “the effeminate fellow shrieking about Nick Shirley’s penis.” The footage spread rapidly across platforms, drawing condemnation from observers across the political spectrum.
Multiple complaints have now been formally filed with the California Legislature’s HR department regarding Schanz’s conduct, according to reporting from KCRA. Schanz is expected to face consequences for his behavior, though specific disciplinary measures have not been announced.
The incident occurred during a serious political moment. Shirley was questioning California politicians about AB 2624, dubbed the “Privacy for immigration support services providers” bill, authored by Democratic Assemblywoman Mia Bonta. The legislation seeks protections for immigrant-run businesses, including health care providers, from online harassment and doxxing.
Republicans have nicknamed the measure the “Stop Nick Shirley Act,” a reference to Shirley’s previous reporting. Shirley has criticized the legislation, contending it was crafted after he “exposed widespread fraud in immigrant communities” in California and Minnesota. The bill passed the Legislature and now sits on Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom’s desk, with a Sept. 30 deadline to sign or veto. The Senate approved it 30-10 along strict party lines.
Schanz’s Capitol sideshow marks the latest controversy for the Democratic operative. His name previously surfaced in a 2025 wrongful-termination lawsuit containing allegations of political bullying and toxic workplace culture within top Assembly leadership. Then in January, his office faced scrutiny over allegations that it pressured nonprofit newsroom CalMatters to alter footage involving McKinnor after a reporter asked her a tough question about an expensive designer handbag.
As chairman of the Sacramento Democratic Party, Schanz has also faced accusations from local moderates and conservatives of aggressive political bullying and freezing out opponents.
In the viral moment that sparked the current scandal, Shirley was conducting legitimate reporting on legislation that had already drawn national attention. Schanz’s decision to intervene with a handwritten sign and shouted insults transformed a policy debate into a spectacle of personal humiliation, all reportedly during a workday funded by California taxpayers. The video shows Shirley attempting to continue his interviews while Schanz persisted with the penis-related taunts, creating a scene that played out in full view of lawmakers and Capitol visitors.
Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign or veto AB 2624.