Washington: Joe Biden, who is leading polls for the Democratic presidential nomination, on Friday faced a misconduct accusation by a Nevada ex-lawmaker claiming the then-vice president inappropriately kissed her before a campaign event.
Lucy Flores, the state’s Democratic nominee for lieutenant governor in 2014, said she was beside the stage awaiting her turn to address a rally when Biden put his hands on her shoulders from behind, then leaned in and smelled her hair. “I was mortified,” Flores, 39, recounted in New York magazine. “He proceeded to plant a big slow kiss on the back of my head,” she added.
“My brain couldn’t process what was happening. I was embarrassed. I was shocked. I was confused,” and “I wanted nothing more than to get Biden away from me.” It was unclear just how the accusation might impact Biden’s decision to officially enter the race. Those close to the Democrat have reportedly said Biden, 76, could announce his plans in April.
Biden’s spokesman Bill Russo said Friday that Biden was “pleased” to support Flores’s candidacy, but does not recall the incident. “Neither then, nor in the years since, did he or the staff with him at the time have an inkling that Ms Flores had been at any time uncomfortable, nor do they recall what she describes,” Russo said.
