Sen. Ted Cruz
Rafael (Ted) Edward CruzTexas brewery makes 'Beto Beer' for Democratic Senate candidate Election Countdown: Takeaways from too-close-to-call Ohio special election | Trump endorsements cement power but come with risks | GOP leader's race now rated as 'toss-up' | Record numbers of women nominated | Latino candidates get prominent role in 2020 The Hill's Morning Report — Signs of trouble for Republicans in House special election MORE on Monday withdrew his support from Alabama GOP Senate nominee Roy Moore, saying allegations of sexual misconduct should be looked at by prosecutors.
“As it stands, I can’t urge the people of Alabama to support a campaign in the face of these charges without serious, persuasive demonstration that the charges are not true,” the Texas Republican told reporters, according to a Texas Tribune reporter.
“Both last week and this week, there are serious charges of criminal conduct that if true, not only make him unfit to serve in the Senate but merit criminal prosecution,” he added.
Cruz’s statement came hours after a fifth woman came forward during a press conference and accused Moore of sexual misconduct when she was a minor.
Beverly Young Nelson alleges that Moore, who was serving as the Etowah County district attorney, sexually assaulted her in a diner parking lot in 1977, when she was a 16-year-old high school student.
Nelson said she felt empowered to come forward after The Washington Post reported last week on four other women who also claim Moore pursued a relationship with them when they were minors.
The bombshell report detailed the account of Leigh Corfman, now 53, who says Moore made unwanted sexual advances with her in 1979, when she was 14 years old and he was 32.
Cruz joined a number of Republican senators distancing themselves from Moore.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnellRepublican strategist: Trump is 'driven by ego' Senate GOP campaign arm asking Trump to endorse McSally in Arizona: report Poll: Three-quarters of Americans say Nancy Pelosi should be replaced, including half of Democrats MORE (R-Ky.) on Monday led several senators in calling for Moore to drop out of the race, and Sen. Cory Gardner
Cory Scott GardnerSenate GOP campaign arm asking Trump to endorse McSally in Arizona: report When it comes to drone tech, wildfire officials need the rights tools for the job Rubio slams Google over plans to unveil censored Chinese search engine MORE (R-Colo.), the chairman of the Senate's GOP campaign arm, said the chamber should expel Moore if he wins election in December.
