Bigs drop backing of Capobianco in rep race

Big names are yanking their endorsements of Valentino Capobianco in the 19th Suffolk state representative race after allegations of inappropriate behavior — which Capobianco blasted as “completely untrue” — were surfaced against him.

State Attorney General Maura Healey, former U.S. Rep. Joseph Kennedy III, Suffolk County Sheriff Steven

Tompkins and state Sen. Paul Feeney, D-Foxboro — Capobianco’s former boss — all rescinded their endorsements on Tuesday as GBH surfaced allegations of inappropriate behavior by Capobianco between 2006 and 2016.

“Since her endorsement on Friday, Maura has been made aware of several allegations of inappropriate and troubling behavior by Tino,” Healey spokesman Corey Welford said in a statement to the Herald. “Based on the nature of those allegations, she is withdrawing her endorsement in this race.”

Kennedy also withdrew his support, saying through a spokeswoman the allegations are “serious, credible, and deeply troubling.”

The allegations of inappropriate behavior reported by GBH date as far back as when Capobianco was in high school.

But Capobianco said in a statement those accusations are “completely untrue and ridiculous.”

“It is deeply personally embarrassing to see some dumb college behavior also be raised,” Capobianco said. But “I will own my own mistakes. It was not predatory. I was overly enthusiastic texting someone I had a crush on. That is the juvenile behavior of a nerdy kid. In hindsight as an adult, I know that.”

Capobianco also appeared to blame an unnamed rival campaign for surfacing the claims.

“I know that politics can be a blood sport but I remain incredulous of the false and outrageous allegations that have suddenly been dropped on me by a rival campaign that is struggling,” he said.

The Planned Parenthood Advocacy Fund of Massachusetts, who had not endorsed a candidate in the race but had jointly promoted Capobianco, Juan Pablo Jaramillo and Alicia DelVento over fellow Democrat Jeffrey Turco, tweeted, “We can no longer say there are three candidates in this race who will uphold their pledge to fight sexual & reproductive health.”

Republican Paul Caruccio and independent Richard Fucillo are also running for the seat vacated by former House Speaker Robert DeLeo. The primary is March 2 and the special election is March 30.