Candidates at major races respond to Kavanaugh's allegations: NPR

With the approach of the confirmation vote for Supreme Court candidate Brett Kavanaugh, both parties perceived potential political benefits for the upcoming mid-term elections.

For the Republicans, it was a chance to energize the base by putting another conservative judge on the court, potentially transforming it for a generation.

For Democrats, the specter of the decline in abortion rights, the Affordable Care Act and many other things, was a way to further energize a Liberal base already in place to go to the polls.

But Kavanaugh faces decades of accusations that he sexually assaulted a woman in high school, her confirmation once assured was canceled and the process is postponed with little time – just seven weeks – before polling day .

Republicans and Democrats participating in high-level competitions in the Senate are calling for more investigations into the matter, with a public hearing with Kavanaugh and his accuser, Christine Blasey Ford, scheduled for next Monday. However, some candidates expressed doubts about the timing and motivation of the allegations.

Republicans have only a slim advantage of 51-49 in the Senate. The Democrats play a large part in the defense of this cycle, but they now have a narrow but not entirely implausible path to claim a majority, which would hinder the massive overhaul of the federal justice system that President Trump was able to execute with a chamber controlled by the GOP.

NPR solicited comments from all major candidates in the competitive Senate competitions that were decided in November. In some of the tightest races, the tone was cautious. For example, at the open contests of the Arizona Senate – where two women will face – Republican Republican Martha McSally versus Democratic Rep. Kyrsten Sinema – both said the allegations against Kavanaugh were serious and deserved further investigation. McSally said that hearing the testimony of Kavanaugh and Ford was a "reasonable solution". Sinema said that candidates for the judiciary "should be carefully monitored and judged without prejudice".

Democratic holders in the states that President Trump has worn are already the main targets of the GOP and have been under pressure to cross the hall and vote for Kavanaugh. All said the charges merited further investigation. The senator of North Dakota, Heidi Heitkamp, ​​stressed that it was necessary "courage to any woman to speak of the sexual aggression", while the senator of Missouri, Claire McCaskill, is said " deeply troubled by these allegations ". West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin said, "Professor Christine Blasey Ford deserves to be heard and Judge Kavanaugh deserves a chance to empty his name."

But some GOP challengers have suggested that there were partisan motivations behind Ford's accusations. Representative Kevin Cramer, who challenges Heitkamp, ​​said, "It's hard not to be skeptical about the timing and history of the allegations" and that if it were to be taken seriously, "The confirmation process Kavanaugh should continue. "

The Missouri Attorney General, Josh Hawley, who comes forward against McCaskill, said in a statement that even though he thought Ford and Kavanaugh should be "heard immediately and under oath," "Democrats have been playing politics with all this process and opposed Brett Kavanaugh even before being named.They do not care about the truth, "Hawley said. West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, who defies Manchin, said "the allegations should absolutely be taken seriously, but the Senate Democrats have done the defendants, the accuser and the American people these allegations. "

In the Tennessee Senate race, GOP representative Marsha Blackburn, a fierce defender of Trump, took one of the toughest lines. She noted that Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, had been aware of the allegations since this summer (although Ford only made public announcements this weekend). Grassley, R-Iowa, "should proceed to the vote". His Democratic opponent, former governor Phil Bredesen, responded that "Ford should be heard, and if US senators will not carefully and carefully consider candidates for the Supreme Court, then I do not know what they think their work".

Both parties are already posting ads on the allegations. The conservative Judicial Crisis Network announced a $ 1.5 million advertising blitz with an ad featuring Louisa Garry, who had been friends with Kavanaugh for 35 years. "He is dedicated to his work, he is dedicated to his family, he is of the highest integrity as a person and I believe that he would be a great judge of the Supreme Court," she says. direct advertising.

Meanwhile, Liberal Demand Justice is launching a $ 700,000 digital and television campaign targeting Senator Nevada, Dean Heller, who is the most threatened GOP to re-elect in 2018; Colorado Sen. Cory Gardner, Chair of the National Republican Senate Committee, to be re-elected in 2020; Senator Susan Susan and Senator Alaska Lisa Murkowski received a moderate vote.

Below you will find complete statements, tweets, or other public comments from US Senate candidates on competitive races, as well as their notes by the Cook Political Report. If a candidate has not responded to a request for comment, he / she is noted and we will update if he / she makes a statement.

Arizona (open seat for Republicans, ranked Toss Up)

Republican Rep. Martha McSally: "This is a very serious allegation." Senator Grassley stated that he was seeking more information from both parties, and Judge Kavanaugh and Dr. Ford stated that They were willing to testify about it. "

Democratic Representative Kyrsten Sinema: "The allegation is worrisome and the Senate should conduct a thorough investigation before voting.Judicial appointments, especially to the highest court in the United States, should be carefully considered and judged without prejudice."

Florida (held by Democrats, listed as Toss Up)

Democratic Senator Bill Nelson, via Twitter: "I'm still waiting for a meeting with Judge Kavanaugh that I've asked for four times.I have a number of questions to ask him.In the meantime, I agree that there should be to have an investigation into the new allegations against him, I believe the people involved should appear before the Judiciary Committee. "

Republican Governor Rick Scott: No answer yet

Indiana (held by Democrats, classified as a "Toss Up")

Democratic Senator Joe Donnelly, via Twitter"The charges against Judge Kavanaugh are serious and deserve further consideration, and given the nature of these allegations and the number of outstanding issues, I think the Judiciary Committee should wait until Thursday." – Joe "

Republican nominee Mike Braun: No answer yet

Michigan (held by Democrats, ranked as possibly democratic)

Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, via Twitter"It's serious, Christine Ford should be heard before the Judicial Committee makes a lifetime appointment to the United States Supreme Court."

Republican nominee John James: No answer yet

Minnesota (held by the Democrats, classified as a democrat lean)

Democratic Senator Tina Smith, via Twitter"These are very serious allegations, Brett Kavanaugh and Christine Blasey Ford both agreed to testify before the Judiciary Committee and this must happen, and we need to conduct a thorough investigation before anything can happen with this appointment."

Republican nominee Karin Housley:

Mississippi (Republican, ranked as likely Republican)

Republican Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith: Spokesperson Chris Gallegos told NPR that Hyde-Smith "has not issued a statement at this stage"

Chris McDaniel GOP Challenge, via Twitter"The same heads that protected Bill Clinton are the same ones who destroy Brett Kavanaugh, let it sink."

Former Democrat Rep. Mike Espy: No answer yet

Missouri (held by Democrats, classified as a Toss Up)

Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill, via Twitter: "Kavanaugh J .: I am deeply troubled by these allegations and they should be thoroughly and fairly considered by the Judiciary Committee without artificial delay."

Republican Attorney General Josh Hawley: "I'm worried that Senator Feinstein and the Democrats have been waiting until the last hour to shed light on this 30-year-old accusation." The Democrats played politics with this whole process and were opposed to Brett Kavanaugh even before being named, do not worry about the truth.I believe allegations of sexual misconduct should never be ignored.That's why it's important that Dr. Ford and Judge Kavanaugh be heard immediately and under oath. "

Montana (held by Democrats, ranked democratically probable)

Democratic Senator Jon Tester: "I agree with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle that we need to gather the facts about these serious allegations, and I take my constitutional duty to select the Supreme Court candidates very seriously and I will continue to meet Judge Kavanaugh ask him tough questions about this appointment for life. "

Auditors Matt Rosendale: Rosendale spokesperson Shane Scanlon: "Matt agrees with President Trump that we should have a full process and hear from Judges Kavanaugh and Ford, which is a serious accusation." Dianne Feinstein long and then disclosed at their convenience, just before a significant vote. "

Nevada (held by the Republicans, classified as a Toss Up)

Republican Senator Dean Heller: No answer yet

Democratic Representative Jacky Rosen: "Dr. Christine Blasey Ford's report is credible, it must be taken seriously and I agree with bipartite appeals for an immediate and thorough inquiry before the Judiciary Committee progresses." Still has a lifetime appointment to the country's highest court, so he does not listen to Nevadans. "

New Jersey (held by Democrats, ranked democratically probable)

Democratic Senator Robert Menendez, via Twitter: "That's exactly why we can not rush appointments." How can we vote on Kavanaugh when worrying and credible sexual assault allegations have been made? Even Republican Senators Jeff Flake and Bob Corker want to delay the vote I agree. " . "

Republican candidate Bob Hugin, via Twitter"An allegation of this serious nature should be thoroughly investigated, and I hope that senators on both sides will ensure that it happens immediately."

North Dakota (held by Democrats, classified as "Toss Up")

Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp:

Republican Rep. Kevin Cramer: "It's hard not to be skeptical about the timing and the history of the allegations, and of course any allegation of this nature should be taken seriously, but in the absence of significant evidence, I think that Justice Kavanaugh's confirmation process should continue. "

Ohio (held by the Democrats, classified as a skinny democrat)

Senator Sherrod Brown: "I agree with senators on both sides of the aisle to say that the Judiciary Committee should take the time necessary to investigate."

Republican Rep. Jim Renacci: "The allegations against Brett Kavanaugh are serious and should be thoroughly investigated, and by the same rule, anyone who asks Kavanaugh to withdraw on the basis of these allegations must ask Sherrod Brown to resign in light of the substantial evidence and domestic violence. (Note: The Columbus Dispatch has more about the decades-old allegations against Brown, which his ex-wife refutes)

Pennsylvania (held by Democrats, classified as possibly democratic)

Democratic Senator Bob Casey, via Twitter"Dr. Christine Blasey Ford is bravely advanced and deserves to be heard." What she describes in her interview is a violent sexual assault, which should be disqualifying for a candidate for life at the time. Supreme Court: The Judiciary Committee should postpone Thursday's vote and proceed to a full examination of this issue. "

Republican Rep. Lou Barletta: "We must take allegations of this nature seriously." It is regrettable that Senate Democrats waited until the 11th hour to highlight the information they had had for months, leaving little room for a fair hearing by Judge Kavanaugh. and his accuser Rating Feinstein and his colleagues have been involved in politics with Justice Kavanaugh and his accuser on one of the most sensitive issues facing our society: which is unacceptable and does not correspond to jobs for they have been elected, it is preferable that Judge Kavanaugh, his accuser and the American people immediately hear testimony from both sides before the Judiciary Committee of the Senate. "

Tennessee (open seat, Republican, Toss Up rated)

Republican Rep. Marsha Blackburn, on the Hugh Hewitt radio show Monday morning: "I have to tell you, after all, that Judge Kavanaugh was a judge, federal judge and that Senator Feinstein had this letter since July, I think it's a late tactic and I think Senator Grassley should vote. "

Former Democratic governor Phil Bredesen, via Twitter"Dr. Christine Blasey Ford should be heard, and if US Senators do not pay close attention to the Supreme Court candidates, then I do not know what they think of their work."

Texas (Republican, ranked as a Republican Lean)

Republican Senator Ted Cruz: "These allegations are serious and deserve to be treated with respect, Professor Ford should be free to tell his story before the Judiciary Committee, and Judge Kavanaugh should have every opportunity to defend himself. early rather than later. " , the committee can therefore make the best possible assessment of the allegations. "

Democratic Republic of Beto O 'Rourke: No answer yet

West Virginia (democratic outfit, listed Toss Up)

Democratic Senator Joe Manchin, via Twitter"Professor Christine Blasey Ford deserves to be heard and Judge Kavanaugh deserves a chance to make himself known." Both have said they want to testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee and I hope they will have the opportunity to do it as quickly as possible. "

Republican Attorney General Patrick Morrisey: "I have full confidence in the Senate Judiciary Committee and in President Trump's team to deal with these allegations in a timely and appropriate manner, allowing both parties to be heard on the eve of Judicial Committee vote, the allegations must be taken seriously, but the Senate Democrats have done a disservice to the accused, the accusers and the American people, politically waiting until 11 am to present these allegations. "

Wisconsin (held democratic, classified as possibly democratic)

Democratic Senator Tammy Baldwin, via Twitter: "I have read Dr. Ford's letter and find the allegations deeply troubling, serious and credible.There should be no vote on this appointment for life until this matter is not discussed." A full investigation and that the Judicial Senate Cmte "

Republican candidate Leah Vukmir: No answer yet