New Louisiana ad hits governor over harassment case

Republicans try to sink Louisiana Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards with a testimonial advert featuring a former worker, Juanita Washington, who says Edwards turned a cold shoulder to her after she was sexually harassed for months by one of many governor's prime aides.

The new ad, which will air statewide starting Friday, is considered one of two assaults to hit Edwards ahead of subsequent week's main targeted on the two-year-old sexual harassment grievance lodged towards Johnny Anderson, Edwards' former deputy chief of employees.

Washington, who served as director of the state Interagency Coordinating Council, speaks to the digital camera within the advert. In the course of the ad, she holds up two photographs: one among her and Edwards, and the opposite of Edwards and Anderson, her alleged harasser.

“Six ladies reported Johnny Anderson for sexual harassment and assault. The governor employed him anyway. I was his next victim,” Anderson says in the ad. She says she was “harassed, groped, assaulted” by Anderson.

“Once I was harm, [Edwards] didn’t care. John Bel says, ‘Individuals over politics.’ Not once you’re a lady like me,” Washington says.

The advert was paid for by Fact in Politics, a Republican 501(c)(four) that doesn't need to reveal its donors. It's going to air statewide and online, with a complete of $750,000 media purchase being put to air the ad.

Sexual harassment complaints had been made towards Anderson as early as 2006 at a earlier employer. Washington stated Anderson harassed her in 2016 and 2017, and Anderson left his job in November 2017 after she complained about his actions to the Edwards administration. She later reached a settlement settlement with Anderson and the state during which neither admitted wrongdoing.

In an interview, Washington declined to detail how she was approached by the organization and wound up being featured in the ad.

“I consider it is very important converse up, and it is very important inform my story,” Washington informed POLITICO. “I all the time needed the fact to return out.”

She has spoken publicly about the alleged harassment before, in August of 2018 to The Occasions-Picayune.

The Edwards marketing campaign didn't reply to a request for comment in time for publication of this text. Edwards' workplace stated in 2018 it has a "zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment, period." Anderson has denied the allegations.

Within the ultimate weeks earlier than the election, Republicans have ramped up their criticism of Edwards over Anderson. On Thursday, the Republican Governors Association’s affiliate, RGA Right Path PAC, launched a television ad that equally attacked Edwards over his dealing with of Anderson's employment.

Most polling of the Oct. 12 main has shown Edwards leading his two Republican rivals — Rep. Ralph Abraham and self-funding businessman Eddie Rispone — with Edwards just shy of nearly all of the vote wanted to clinch reelection with no runoff. If Edwards falls in need of a majority of the votes forged, he will face the second-place candidate in another election on Nov. 16.

In current days, Republicans have pushed exhausting to keep Edwards under 50 %. President Donald Trump tweeted twice about the race this week, pleading together with his Louisiana followers to vote for both Abraham or Rispone. "A Republican will win for those who can pressure a runoff!" he posted.

In the meantime, Vice President Mike Pence is reportedly planning a trip to the state this weekend.

Article initially revealed on POLITICO Magazine

Src: New Louisiana ad hits governor over harassment case
==============================
New Smart Way Get BITCOINS!
CHECK IT NOW!
==============================