MeToo part deux is coming to U.S. politics
Activists are driving a renewed MeToo‑style reckoning in U.S. politics, pushing parties and lawmakers toward stronger accountability for sexual misconduct.
The MeToo movement is making a comeback in U.S. politics, with activists determined to ensure that the fall of one problematic candidate does not go unnoticed. Graham Platner, a Maine oysterman, had to abandon his Senate campaign after a rape allegation was made against him. The Democratic Party initially sought to move past the scandal, but the activists who played a role in Platner's downfall now aim to use his story to teach others a lesson.
Cheyenne Hunt, the CEO of the newly formed nonprofit Reckoning Action, is spearheading this effort. Hunt, a prominent Democratic strategist, played a key part in Platner's demise as well as that of Eric Swalwell, a former congressman from the San Francisco Bay Area who withdrew his gubernatorial bid in April following sexual misconduct allegations. Both Platner and Swalwell vehemently deny the accusations leveled against them.
Hunt and her team believe that Platner's case should serve as a warning to others in the political arena. They hope that by highlighting his fall from grace, they can discourage others from engaging in unethical behavior and potentially damaging their careers. This approach marks a new chapter in the MeToo movement, as it spreads its influence beyond individual cases and into the broader political landscape.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
