Former Vice President Joe Biden has been leading in the polls as the frontrunner in the 2020 Democratic Primaries for the presidency. It’s been rumored that he’ll be launching his campaign soon, but nothing has been confirmed or set in stone. However, that lead might be tarnished as he’s facing an accusation of inappropriate behavior from a member of the Democratic party.
Last week, Lucy Flores, former Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in Nevada, penned an article discussing an encounter with Biden when he offered “to help me and other Democrats in the state” in their respective political campaigns.
She detailed an event in 2014 where the former Vice President would be campaigning with her, and she described his actions toward her that made her feel uncomfortable. In the article, she wrote that as she “was taking deep breaths and preparing myself to make my case to the crowd, I felt two hands on my shoulders.” She questioned why Biden was touching her, and she became more concerned as he stepped closer to her. Flores adds that “he leaned further in and inhaled my hair. I was mortified.”
Flores then wrote that Biden “proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head. My brain couldn’t process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused.”
She expressed that she “couldn’t move and I couldn’t say anything. I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me. My name was called and I was never happier to get on stage in front of an audience.”
In a statement released by Bill Russo, Biden’s spokesman, the former Vice President responded to Flores’ allegations, saying that he did not act inappropriately.
Statement from @JoeBiden this morning. pic.twitter.com/EbCchX2npU
— Bill Russo (@BillR) March 31, 2019
In the statement, Biden explained that “in many years on the campaign trail and in public life, I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort. And not once – never – did I believe I acted inappropriately. If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully.”
In addition, Biden expressed that he “may not recall these moments the same way, and I may be surprised at what I hear. But we have arrived at an important time when women feel they can and should relate their experiences, and men should pay attention. And I will.”
