Incoming freshman Ohio Representative Brian Poindexter has not even taken the oath of office yet and he is already in the hot seat.
CNN reports that House Democrats have launched an investigation after an aide complained Poindexter made sexually harassing comments toward her during his campaign.
The investigation is being led by an independent firm hired by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), the group confirmed in a statement to CNN.
Poindexter defeated Rep. Max Miller, a former Trump adviser whose ex-wife accused him of domestic violence, which he has denied. The unwelcome development comes as Democrats are trying to focus on building out their agenda on the heels of a massive victory in November.
“The DCCC has been made aware of the allegations and takes them seriously,” said Julie Merz, executive director of the campaign group.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Poindexter’s campaign said: “Brian gave what he thought was an innocuous compliment to a volunteer. He heard later that it made her feel uncomfortable and he felt awful.”
Poindexter ran on an economic populist message and played up his “masculine” appeal, touting his background as a union ironworker.
