Holyoke, Mass., Mayor Alex Morse (D) said Sunday that he will remain in his congressional primary race against Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) Amid an investigation by the University of Massachusetts into allegations that Morse had sexual relations with students while teaching at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
Morse ever refused to use his position of power as mayor or as a lecturer to benefit students.
‘I want to be clear about this. I have never in my entire life had a non-consensual sexual encounter with one hand. I have never used my position of power as mayor and UMass lecturer for romantic or sexual gain, other than to benefit students, ”he said in a statement. “I have never violated the UMass policy. Any claim to the contrary is false. As I have acknowledged, I have had consensual relationships with other men, including students enrolled at local universities that I have met using dating apps. ”
‘While I am confident that a full investigation into these matters will completely erase my name from all unethical behaviors, I also acknowledged that some students felt uncomfortable with interactions they had with me. I’m sorry for that, “he added.
My statement about the last 48 hours. pic.twitter.com/2RU5ht6jZ8
– Alex Morse (@AlexBMorse) August 10, 2020
Morse underscored his statement about staying in the race by stating that it is “unfortunate that these allegations came three weeks before the primary, because there is not enough time for UMass to conduct an independent review” for the elections.
Morse taught a course in Urban Government and Politics in multiple semesters over the course of five years, and most recently he taught at the school in the fall semester of 2019.
He was accused this week by three groups of college Democrats of using his position to force students into sexual relationships, according to multiple reports. The groups made the allegations in a letter first received by the Massachusetts Daily Collegian.
The university said Saturday in a statement that it had launched an investigation to determine if Morse’s actions violated Title IX.
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