Woman accuses Dem Rep. Kihuen of unwanted overtures this fall

A woman has come forward with allegations of unwanted overtures from Rep. Ruben Kihuen (D-Nev.), a Nevada news outlet reported Saturday after the freshman lawmaker announced that he would not seek reelection.

The 24-year-old woman, who has not been publicly identified but who works at a firm that consulted with Kihuen for his campaign, told The Nevada Independent that Kihuen, 37, made romantic overtures toward her this fall that made her uncomfortable.

Kihuen reportedly kissed her at a fundraiser on one occasion, and asked her in the office about her romantic relationships. The woman said that Kihuen asked whether she lived alone and offered to help her in her career, which she felt implied he wanted sexual favors.

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The woman is the fourth to come forward with accounts of unwanted advances from the freshman lawmaker and the first to describe actions after he was elected to Congress.

The lawmaker announced Saturday that he would not seek another term in office.

The House Ethics Committee said this week it would investigate the lawmaker after three other women accused Kihuen of inappropriate contact and unwanted sexual advances.

“I want to state clearly again that I deny the allegations in question. I am committed to fully cooperating with the House Ethics Committee and I look forward to clearing my name,” Kihuen said in a statement Saturday announcing that he would not seek reelection.

“Due process and the presumption of innocence are bedrock legal principles which have guided our nation for centuries, and they should not be lost to unsubstantiated hearsay and innuendo.”