AP Analysis: 25 state lawmakers running in 2018 have been accused of sexual misconduct

Months after the #MeToo movement first swept the nation, the media and Capitol Hill, allegations of sexual harassment and assault aren’t done reverberating through state politics. 

A new analysis from the Associated Press found that, nationwide, there are at least 25 state lawmakers running for re-election or another office who have been accused of sexual misconduct.

Among those lawmakers, 15 have already won primaries and advanced to the November general election, including seven who did not face challengers.

In Kentucky alone, seven state lawmakers have been accused of sexual misconduct, and four have settled accusations with female aides.

In California, four state lawmakers who have advanced to the general election have faced allegations, including two female lawmakers.

{mosads}But many candidates taking on the accused lawmakers told the AP that they are not planning to address the allegations against their opponents during the race, and instead hope to keep the focus on voter issues.

Arizona state Sen. Sine Kerr (R) is taking on former state Rep. Don Shooter (R) in the state Senate primary.

Shooter was expelled from the state House after he was accused of sexually harassing more than half a dozen women, including three female lawmakers.

Kerr told the AP that she does not plan to bring up the issues in her race against Shooter for the state Senate.

“I trust the voters of our district,” Kerr said. “They’re informed, and they’ll make a good decision.”

Investigations in state legislative bodies nationwide have been ongoing for months into the dozens of sexual harassment accusations that have been made against lawmakers.

Nationally, several lawmakers and one senator have stepped down following reports of sexual misconduct or harassment, including Sen. Al Franken, (D-Minn.) and Reps. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), John Conyers (D-Mich) and Blake Farenthold (R-Texas).