CT Dems stand by Biden after Reade allegations

WASHINGTON — An allegation of sexual assault against Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, has concerned Connecticut’s Democratic congressional delegation, but has not yet shaken their support for him. Some said Biden’s response has been “adequate” and “honest,” while others called for further investigation.

The allegation has become controversial political issue as Republicans slam Democrats for not renouncing Biden. It is testing the parties as they face off at the intersection of a polarized election and the powerful #MeToo movement.

Recently, a former staffer in Biden’s Senate office, Tara Reade, alleged that Biden sexually assaulted her in a Senate building in 1993. Reade called for Biden to drop out of the presidential race in an interview with journalist Megyn Kelly, part of which was released last week.

Last year, Reade accused Biden, the former vice president, of inappropriate touching, along with seven other women. One of the other women who said Biden’s actions made them uncomfortable was Amy Lappos, a former aide to U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4, who said Biden pulled her in to rub noses at a Greenwich fundraiser in 2009.

Biden said the alleged assault of Reade “never happened” in a statement on May 1. He requested the Senate and National Archives find and release any complaint from Reade from his office’s personnel records. In response to the allegations on inappropriate touching, Biden said in April 2019, he “will be more mindful about respecting personal space in the future.”

In an interview Thursday, Himes, the only member of the Connecticut congressional delegation who has endorsed Biden so far, said “allegations like this should be thoroughly investigated.” The allegation does not reduce Himes’s political support for Biden “pending the results of an investigation,” he said.

“I like Joe Biden. I respect Joe Biden. I trust Joe Biden,” Himes said. “But that doesn’t in any way alleviate the need for a thorough investigation here.”

In addition to Himes, Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5, called for an investigation into Reade’s claims. They were not specific about who should conduct the investigation, saying they deferred to Reade’s wishes.

“Every due diligence should be made to support the allegations that she’s making,” Hayes in an interview Thursday. “I think [Biden] should do whatever he can to help move the investigation along... I just think he should be honest and transparent and let the truth fall where it will.”

Hayes endorsed Sen. Kamala Harris, D-Calif., before she ended her presidential campaign. Asked about her support for Biden’s campaign she said, “I’m not ready to offer support to anyone yet.”

emilie.munson@hearstdc.com

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