Alabama GOP Senate nominee Roy Moore responded to Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s (R-Ky.) call for Moore to “step aside,” saying that McConnell is the one who should do so.
“The person who should step aside is [Senate Majority Leader] Mitch McConnell. He has failed conservatives and must be replaced,” Moore tweeted on Monday.
His tweet comes after McConnell said on Monday that Moore should withdraw from the race.
Several conservative leaders have called for Moore to step down following allegations that he engaged in sexual encounters with teenagers in the past, including one 14-year-old girl who alleged that he kissed and touched her sexually when he was 32.
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McConnell originally said that Moore should step aside “if these allegations are true,” a sentiment echoed by other GOP senators. But when asked Monday about the allegations, McConnell said, “I believe the women.”
Moore has denied the accusations and threatened to sue The Washington Post, which published the original report detailing the allegations. He has told his supporters that he plans to remain in the race.
If Moore does withdraw, Alabama state law dictates that his name would remain on the ballot because it is too close to the Dec. 12 special election.
Moore is facing off against Democratic candidate Doug Jones for the Senate seat formerly occupied by Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
McConnell also said Monday that the party is discussing the possibility of a launching a write-in bid, but did not say who the candidate would be.