Two political action committees said they informed the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) about a report of alleged sexual harassment involving Brian Poindexter; the DCCC said Friday it hired a firm to investigate.
The DCCC, the House Democrats’ campaign arm, said the independent firm would assess potential inappropriate conduct and interview people. Executive Director Julie Merz said, “The DCCC has been made aware of the allegations and takes them seriously.”
The Blue Dog PAC and Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC said they were informed of the report in the final days before the election and notified the DCCC. The groups said they put the individual in touch with legal advocates and support services.
The PACs said she asked them not to disclose details publicly because she wanted to protect her identity and decide how to proceed. Both groups said they withdrew their endorsements until the investigation is complete.
A Poindexter campaign spokesperson called the conduct “an innocuous compliment to a volunteer.” The spokesperson said Poindexter later learned the remark had made her uncomfortable and felt awful. The campaign said it began working with an outside human resources firm after he learned of the concern.
CBS News reported that the inquiry comes amid broader congressional questions about how to handle sexual misconduct allegations, as numerous lawmakers have faced complaints.
