The Nebraska Democratic Party (NDP) is demanding that its Senate nominee drop out after he sent sexually offensive texts to a female campaign staffer.
The party said its executive committee voted unanimously to cut off resources to its nominee, Chris Janicek, who is running against Sen. Ben Sasse (R).
In a statement, state Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kleeb said, “Our Democratic Party has no tolerance for sexual harassment.”
“Our party will not extend resources or any type of support to any candidate that violates our code of conduct and doesn’t treat men and women with the dignity and respect they deserve,” Kleeb added.
The Associated Press, which obtained the offensive texts, reports that Janicek sent the offensive texts to a group chat of five staffers — including the female staffer.
In the group chat, Janicek said he had an argument with the female staffer and asked if the campaign should spend money on “getting her laid.”
He later claimed that was a “joke” and said, “I’m going on no sleep and a bunch of exuberant excitement, and I think I was out of line.”
The staffer responded, “You are my boss and a candidate running for Senate, (an) office held by just 100 Americans representing approximately 330 million of her people.”
She added, “There is zero tolerance for what you said.”
That staffer has since left the campaign and filed a complaint with the NDP and argued that Janicek violated its code of conduct.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Janicek did not deny that he sent the texts but added that he apologized for them.
He also claimed the NDP was trying to use the texts to target him because he disagreed with progressive activists on issues such as abortion and gun control.
The NDP can only replace Janicek if he chose to drop out of the race.