Eight women are accusing a Trump-backed candidate in Nebraska's gubernatorial election of groping between 2017 and this year.
Business executive Charles Herbster received Trump's endorsement in October 2021. The most recent polling had the CEO leading the crowded primary field by nine points.
The endorsement created some controversy when term-limited Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts said in response, “While I agree with President Trump on many things, I strongly disagree that Charles Herbster is qualified to be our next governor.”
Before today's revelation, Herbster had shown a natural ability to connect with voters in the Cornhusker State. Hoping to boost his prospects, Donald Trump Jr. flew to Omaha yesterday to join Herbster for a three-day stint on the campaign trail.
One of Herbster's alleged victims is a prominent Republican state senator. The accusers' ages ranged from their late teens to mid-20s at the time of their reported assault.
Mediaite has more on the allegations, first reported in the Nebraska Examiner:
The report from the Examiner is certain to raise further doubts in the conservative state about Herbster's fitness to be governor. Seven of the women alleging unwanted touching from Herbster spoke to the Examiner under the condition of anonymity, but an eighth woman, Republican State Sen. Julie Slama made her allegation publicly.
Slama told the Examiner that at an event in 2019 “as she walked by Herbster, he reached up her skirt, without her consent, and touched her inappropriately.”
“The incident happened in the middle of a crowded ballroom at the Douglas County Republican Party's annual Elephant Remembers dinner,” the report notes. Another woman details an encounter with the Republican hopeful, alleging he “cornered her privately and kissed her forcibly.”
“Being a conservative Republican woman in politics, you just expect to be treated with respect. To be treated in that way in a public event, in front of everyone, just to prove, I believe, that he could get away with it, and not having recourse, it's terrifying,” another woman is quoted as saying in the report.
The Herbster campaign adamantly denies the charges. Campaign manager Ellen Keast called the article in the Examiner a “political hit-piece built on 100% false and baseless claims.”
I have never understood how one could “walk” past someone and they put their hand up someone’s clothing (I am female), What did she do drag him along with her while walking??? He have extra long arms or she a really short outfit on? I am not from this State but was curious, I have heard that comment before?
I agree with you. We are going to see some kind of slander against all Republican candidates probably. The Democrats have no plan for anything any off us want, so they will just LIE! LIE! LIE!.