Accused of Sexual Harassment, Andrea Ramsey Ends Kansas Congressional Run

She said that her political opponents were using the false allegations against her, and she criticized the Democratic Party for implementing a “zero tolerance standard.”

“For me, that means a vindictive, terminated employee’s false allegations are enough for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) to decide not to support our promising campaign,” Ms. Ramsey added.

Meredith Kelly, the communications director of the D.C.C.C., said in an emailed statement: “Members and candidates must all be held to the highest standard. If anyone is guilty of sexual harassment or sexual assault, that person should not hold public office.”

Ms. Ramsey was one of several Democrats running to contest the House seat held by Representative Kevin Yoder in next year’s midterm elections. Although the Democratic primary is not until August, Ms. Ramsey told The New York Times earlier this month that her campaign had already raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.

She has never held public office, but said she was emboldened to try when Mr. Yoder voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. “I was not going to abide that vote. It crystallized my decision to step up and run,” Ms. Ramsey said.

Ms. Ramsey was endorsed by Emily’s List, a national organization that supports female and abortion rights candidates. In an emailed statement on Friday, the organization acknowledged that Ms. Ramsey had ended her candidacy. “We support her decision and we wish her well,” the statement said.

Ms. Ramsey did not immediately respond to a voice mail message on Friday seeking comment about her decision. The man who filed the lawsuit, Gary Funkhouser, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

A wave of sexual harassment allegations in recent months — overwhelmingly directed at men — have led to resignations in industries including entertainment, journalism and technology. Several politicians have also said they will step down or not seek re-election in the face of harassment allegations this month, including Senator Al Franken and Representatives Trent Franks, Blake Farenthold and John Conyers Jr.

Advertisement

Continue reading the main story

“On balance, it is far more important to me that women are stepping forward to tell their stories and confront their harassers than it is to continue our campaign,” Ms. Ramsey wrote on Friday.

Continue reading the main story

Share and Enjoy