UMass students allege improper behavior by Holyoke Mayor Morse
The congressional candidate is an instructor in political science at UMass - Amherst.
www.masslive.com
The UMass College Democrats have disinvited Holyoke Mayor and congressional candidate Alex B. Morse from future events, alleging he had inappropriate sexual relations with college students even while running for Congress, according to the Daily Collegian.
According to the student-run newspaper, Morse, 31, who teaches political science at UMass, matched with students as young as 18 on dating apps like Tinder and Grindr.
In a written statement, Morse apologized saying he needs to be more mindful of his own position of power.
The young men included members of the College Democrats of Massachusetts, UMass Amherst Democrats and other groups in the state, according to the Daily Collegian.
The UMass group also said Morse used College Democrats events to meet college students and add them on Instagram to his "Close Friends" story, which is a less general means of communicating, and then direct messaging them.
UMass Amherst Democrats said the messages from Morse made the students feel uncomfortable.
Justice Democrats candidate accused of inappropriate sexual behavior
Three different groups of Massachusetts College Democrats have disinvited Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse from future events.
www.politico.com
Three groups of college Democrats in Massachusetts disinvited left-wing congressional primary challenger and Holyoke Mayor Alex Morse from all future events alleging that he showed a pattern of using "his platform and taking advantage of his position of power for romantic or sexual gain, specifically toward young students."
The email, sent on Thursday and signed by College Democrats of Massachusetts, U-Mass.-Amherst Democrats, and Amherst College Democrats alleged that Morse, who is challenging House Ways and Means Chairman Richie Neal, had "sexual contact" with students at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, where he is a lecturer on political science.
"Numerous incidents over the course of several years have shown that it is no longer appropriate to encourage interaction between College Democrats and Alex Morse," they wrote.
In a letter sent back to the groups on Thursday and obtained by POLITICO, Morse wrote, "I want to be clear that every relationship I've had has been consensual. However, I also recognize that I have to be cognizant of my position of power." He continued: "Navigating life as both a young gay man and an elected official can be difficult, but that doesn't excuse poor judgment."
In a statement, Morse acknowledged relationships with college students and said the relationships were consensual. Asked if the allegations of "sexual contact" with students at the college he teaches, Morse's campaign did not respond.
Kind of an eleventh hour revelation but if these allegations are true, the voters need to be aware of them.
Really gross to use that power imbalance of being in a teaching position and pursuing students.
Edit:
The allegations have taken a sizable hint in credibility after leaked dms show a student conspiring against Morse
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