On Friday, BuzzFeed reported that Democratic Rep. Ruben Kihuen's former campaign finance director, whom they identify as Samantha, resigned from his campaign last year after he sexually harassed her. After being told about the allegations, DCCC chair Ben Ray Luján called for the Nevada freshman to resign.
Samantha said that Kihuen, who won a competitive seat in suburban Las Vegas last year, propositioned her for dates and for sex even after she repeatedly told him no, and twice touched her legs without her consent. A mid-level DCCC staffer who has since left confirms that Samantha told him at the time that she was quitting because she was uncomfortable around Kihuen. Kihuen's campaign manager also confirms that another DCCC staffer notified him last year that Samantha had quit because of Kihuen, but he says he wasn't told specifics and adds that the candidate denied behaving inappropriately at the time.
Kihuen put out a statement in response saying, "I sincerely apologize for anything that I may have said or done that made her feel uncomfortable. I take this matter seriously as it is not indicative of who I am." However, Luján immediate response offered Kihuen no quarter. "Members and candidates must be held to the highest standard,” said Luján in a statement. “If anyone is guilty of sexual harassment or sexual assault, they should not hold elected office. Congressman Kihuen should resign."
Nevada's 4th District, which includes Las Vegas' northern suburbs, narrowed from 54-44 Obama to 50-45 Clinton, and Kihuen unseated Republican Rep. Cresent Hardy 49-45 last year. National Republicans have shown some interest in Las Vegas City Councilor Stavros Anthony, who lost a 2015 bid for mayor, but this hadn’t looked like a top-tier race. However, the GOP is now likely to give this race a more attention no matter what happens next.