Which GOP senators have withdrawn support for Roy Moore?
More than a handful of Republican senators have withdrawn support for GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore, who faces new allegations involving a sexual encounter he had with a 14-year-old girl and 16-year-old girl when he was in his early 30s.
- Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Louisiana
- Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine
- Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas
- Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas
- Sen. Steve Daines, R-Montana
- Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colorado
- Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina
- Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah
- Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah
- Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky
- Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylvania
Moore has been defiant and has denied the allegations that were reported by The Washington Post last week. He has even threatened to sue the newspaper. Another woman spoke publicly Monday, alleging that Moore assaulted her when she was 16 years old.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Kentucky, said earlier in the day that Roy Moore "should step aside" from his Senate bid in light of the allegations.
The chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), Sen. Cory Gardner, R-Colorado, not only withdrew support for Moore on Monday, but said that the upper chamber should vote to expel him if need-be.
"If he refuses to withdraw and wins, the Senate should vote to expel him, because he does not meet the ethical and moral requirements of the United States Senate," he said in a statement.
Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, also withdrew their support for Moore on Monday.
I have now read Mr. Moore’s statement and listened to his radio interview in which he denies the charges. I did not find his denials to be convincing and believe that he should withdraw from the Senate race in Alabama.
— Sen. Susan Collins (@SenatorCollins) November 13, 2017
I stand with the Majority Leader on this. These are serious and disturbing accusations, and while the decision is now in the hands of the people of Alabama, I believe Luther Strange is an excellent alternative. https://t.co/L7IallXhBc
— Orrin Hatch (@OrrinHatch) November 13, 2017
"I think the accusations have more credibility than the denial. I think it would be best if Roy would just step aside," Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pennsylvania said in an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday.
More outspoken Republican Senators who did not support Moore originally have also weighed in -- Senator John McCain, R-Arizona, delivered a brief but sharp statement on Moore, calling the allegations against Moore "deeply disturbing and disqualifying."
"He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of," he added.
The allegations against Roy Moore are deeply disturbing and disqualifying. He should immediately step aside and allow the people of Alabama to elect a candidate they can be proud of.
— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) November 9, 2017
Sen. Jeff Flake, R-Arizona, also called for Moore to step aside, tweeting his response to supporters continuing to stand by the candidate amid the allegations, "Come on, Republicans. Is this who we are? This cannot be who we are," he wrote.
Come on, Republicans. Is this who we are? This cannot be who we are. https://t.co/Fp0xnwOdqz
— Jeff Flake (@JeffFlake) November 10, 2017
Cassidy has also withdrawn support for Moore, who's running for the Senate seat in Alabama.
Based on the allegations against Roy Moore, his response and what is known, I withdraw support.
— Bill Cassidy (@BillCassidy) November 12, 2017
On Friday, Lee and Daines rescinded their endorsements of Moore.
Having read the detailed description of the incidents, as well as the response from Judge Moore and his campaign, I can no longer endorse his candidacy for the US Senate.
— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) November 10, 2017
I am pulling my endorsement and support for Roy Moore for U.S. Senate.
— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) November 10, 2017
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, withdrew his support via Twitter Monday afternoon.
In light of the most recent allegations and the cumulative effect of others, I believe #RoyMoore would be doing himself, the state, the GOP, and the country a service by stepping aside.
— Lindsey Graham (@LindseyGrahamSC) November 13, 2017
If he continues this will not end well for Mr. Moore.
The special election in Alabama is scheduled for Dec. 12.