The race for the Democratic nomination for State Senate in the 37th district moved up a few hundred degrees on the Scoville scale today, with Valerie Vainieri Huttle demanding that Gordon Johnson address a past allegation of sexual misconduct.
Vainieri Huttle raised the issue after Johnson said on social media that Denim Day “is more than about wearing jeans, it’s about standing with survivors.”
“I have spent my entire adult life fighting for justice and equality for those victimized, harassed, assaulted, or discriminated against,” Johnson said. “I will not stop now.”
POLITICO reported last month that Johnson suggested that an Englewood political leader should become his “concubine” if she wanted to climb the local political ladder in Englewood.
Johnson denied those allegations.
But statement today appears to have pushed Vainieri Huttle to say something about claims made against Johnson.
“Let’s get one thing clear, you cannot claim to support survivors when you have remained silent in the face of your own sexual misconduct allegations,” Vainieri Huttle said. “You certainly cannot claim to believe survivors when you’ve remained silent. Gordon, you brought this up- now you need to come clean.”
Vainieri Huttle maintains that today’s social media post was an example of Johnson’s hypocrisy on the issue.
“As Gordon has remained silent about his allegations of sexual misconduct, he has touted his sponsorship of legislation to protect survivors of sexual violence, legislation authored by me, his opponent,” she said.
Vainieri Huttle and Johnson both represent the 37th district in the State Assembly, and while they share nearly identical voting records, the two are trying to show Democratic primary voters that there is a difference between the two candidates vying to succeed Loretta Weinberg in the State Senate.
“At the end of the day, one thing is abundantly clear: as I have fought for survivors of sexual violence and harassment, Gordon has been accused of it,” Vainieri Huttle said. “So, Gordon, let’s stop with the charade, stop dodging questions about your actions and while you’re at it, stop taking credit for your opponent’s hard work.”
Johnson did not immediately respond to a 3:13 PM call to his campaign seeking comment.
Vainieri Huttle and Johnson will face off in a debate on Sunday evening at 9 PM sponsored by the New Jersey Globe.
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November 5, 2019 -
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