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Kansas Democrat Accused of Harassment Endorses Primary Opponent

3rd District’s Kevin Yoder targeted by Democrats

Congressional Leadership Fund is rolling out new spending in Kansas' 3rd District to protect Rep. Kevin Yoder. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Congressional Leadership Fund is rolling out new spending in Kansas' 3rd District to protect Rep. Kevin Yoder. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

A Democratic candidate who dropped out after being accused of sexual harassment endorsed her primary opponent in the race for Kansas’ 3rd Congressional District.

Andrea Ramsey endorsed Brent Welder, a labor lawyer, to challenge Republican Rep. Kevin Yoder, according to KMUW.

Welder was a supporter of Sen. Bernie Sanders’ candidacy last year. The endorsement leaves Tom Niermann, a teacher, as Welder’s main competition.

Ramsey said in a statement she saw Welder “fight every day to provide a voice for the voiceless” while on the campaign trail, according to the Kansas City Star.

“I am confident that he will continue to fight for the things that caused me to run — building an economy that works for everyone, fixing our broken healthcare system, and standing up for women’s rights,” she said.

Ramsey dropped out of the race last week after she was accused of making sexual advances toward a male staffer. 

Watch: Former Congresswomen Reflect on Sexual Harassment Issues

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Welder thanked Ramsey in a statement.

“With Andrea Ramsey’s support, we move forward unified as Democrats and stronger than ever in our fight to defeat Kevin Yoder and solve the pressing problems of healthcare and wealth inequality,” he said. 

Ramsey said the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee abandoned her after reports that she made unwanted sexual advances toward a male staffer.

The reports stemmed from a lawsuit in 2005 when she was vice president of human resources at LabOne.

Ramsey accused the DCCC of being a gatekeeper of endorsements and campaign cash, despite the committee not taking sides in the primary.

Democrats are targeting Yoder’s district, with the DCCC putting it on its target list earlier this year.

Hillary Clinton carried the district despite Yoder’s win, according to analysis by Daily Kos Elections.

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