Democratic House candidate in Massachusetts apologizes after being accused of inappropriate behavior

[George II]

Source: CNN

Updated 2:37 PM ET, Sat August 8, 2020

(CNN) A Democratic candidate for US House in Massachusetts has apologized after three college groups accused him of using his position of power to pursue romantic or sexual relationships with students.

Alex Morse, a four-term mayor of Holyoke at 31 years old, is running against Rep. Richard Neal, the Democratic incumbent and chair of the House Ways and Means Committee, in a September 1 primary. Morse's campaign has the collective support of leading progressive groups, including Justice Democrats, the Working Families Party, Indivisible and Sunrise Movement. Andrew Yang, the former Democratic presidential primary candidate, and Jamaal Bowman, who ousted another powerful incumbent, New York Rep. Eliot Engel in a June primary, have also endorsed Morse.

In an email to Morse on Thursday, representatives for the College Democrats of Massachusetts, UMass Amherst Democrats and Amherst College Democrats wrote that Morse was "no longer welcome" at their events following "numerous incidents over the course of several years" in which they allege the candidate used their events and took advantage of his status, as an elected official and lecturer at UMass Amherst, to meet "college-aged students" and then proceed to contact individuals via social media, which they said "made young college students uncomfortable."

"We have heard countless stories of Morse adding students to his 'Close Friends Story' and Direct Messaging members of College Democrats on Instagram in a way that makes these students feel pressured to respond due to his status," they wrote. "Even if these scenarios are mutually consensual, the pattern of Morse using his platform and taking advantage of his position of power for romantic or sexual gain, specifically toward young students, is unacceptable."

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/08/08/politics/massachusetts-alex-morse/index.html

[denem]

1. 'Justice Democrats' sure can pick 'em

Think Cenk. Enough said.