House Democrats’ campaign arm is investigating a sexual harassment allegation against Rep.-elect Brian Poindexter, the Ohio Democrat who unseated Republican Rep. Max Miller less than two weeks ago in one of the cycle’s most closely watched House races.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee said Friday it had hired an independent firm to examine the allegation. DCCC Executive Director Julie Merz said in a statement that the committee had been made aware of the allegations and takes them seriously.
The complaint first surfaced in the final days before the Nov. 3 election, when Blue Dog PAC and the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC received a report of alleged harassment involving Poindexter. The two groups, which had endorsed him from opposite wings of the party, said they informed the DCCC and connected the accuser with legal advocacy and support services.
Both PACs have since pulled their endorsements of Poindexter pending the outcome of the investigation. In a joint statement, the groups said the accuser had asked that no details be disclosed publicly and wanted to decide for herself how to proceed while protecting herself.
The woman’s identity has not been made public, and she has not commented publicly. The nature of the alleged conduct has not been disclosed.
Poindexter’s campaign described the cited statement to CNN as “an innocuous compliment to a volunteer.” A campaign spokesperson said Poindexter later learned the remark had made the volunteer uncomfortable and that the campaign felt terrible about it, adding that neither Poindexter nor the campaign wants anyone to feel uncomfortable. The campaign said it had also worked with an outside human resources firm on the matter.
Poindexter had quietly been removed from the endorsement lists of two Democratic groups on Thursday, an unusual turn for a newly elected lawmaker who had drawn support from both the party’s progressive and centrist caucuses. The reason for the removals was not public at the time.
Poindexter, a union ironworker and former Brook Park city councilman, flipped Ohio’s 7th Congressional District, which covers Cleveland’s southern suburbs, giving Democrats a pickup in territory that has traditionally leaned Republican. The Associated Press called the race for Poindexter on election night.
The DCCC added Poindexter to its “Red to Blue” program in August, touting his working-class and labor credentials as it poured resources into the race. He campaigned on affordability, healthcare, and labor issues and outraised Miller, bringing in about $3.72 million to Miller’s $3.32 million as of Nov. 2.
Miller, a two-term Republican and former Trump White House aide, entered the general election weakened by domestic abuse allegations from his ex-wife, Emily Moreno, the daughter of Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH). Miller has denied the allegations, and the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into his conduct.
The controversy prompted Ohio’s two Republican senators, Moreno and Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), to call on Miller to step aside. Miller stayed in the race, retaining the support of President Donald Trump.
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Poindexter is scheduled to be sworn in Jan. 3 along with the rest of the incoming House freshman class, and has not indicated that he will step aside over the allegation. If a member-elect resigns before taking office, the state’s governor must call a special election to fill the seat.
The Washington Examiner has reached out to Poindexter’s campaign, the DCCC, Blue Dog PAC, the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, and Miller for comment.