Cruz’s Democratic challenger fundraises off support of Roy Moore

Sen. Ted Cruz’s (R-Texas) Democratic challenger Rep. Beto O’Rourke (Texas) blasted Cruz in a fundraising email for supporting Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore (R) in the wake of allegations that Moore initiated sexual contact with a minor decades ago.

“It’s not that complicated, Ted Cruz: we’re talking about potentially elevating a man who preyed on young girls to the U.S. Senate,” O’Rourke wrote in an email obtained by the Dallas Morning News.

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Moore on Friday resisted calls to exit the Alabama Senate race amid fallout over an explosive Washington Post investigation this week revealing allegations that Moore initiated sexual contact with a 14-year-old girl in 1979, when he was a 32-year-old assistant district attorney.

Moore has denied the allegations amid growing criticism from Republicans.

“I believe they are politically motivated. I believe they are brought only to stop a very successful campaign, and that’s what they are doing. I’ve never known this woman,” Moore said Friday on Sean Hannity’s radio show.

Cruz was among a number of GOP senators to throw their support behind Moore’s campaign ahead of the December special election. Meanwhile, two GOP senators on Friday dropped their support for Moore’s campaign as pressure grows over the sexual misconduct allegations.

“Having read the detailed description of the incidents, as well as the response from Judge Moore and his campaign, I can no longer endorse his candidacy for the US Senate,” Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) said in a statement.

“I am pulling my endorsement and support for Roy Moore for U.S. Senate,” Sen. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) tweeted.

Moore is set to face Democrat Doug Jones in a Dec. 12 special election to fill the Senate seat vacated by Attorney General Jeff Sessions and currently held by Sen. Luther Strange (R-Ala.). 

In September, Moore defeated Strange in the state’s GOP primary runoff. Strange was appointed to the seat in February by former Gov. Robert Bentley (R).