Four current and former high-ranking members of the Loudoun County Democratic Committee came forward Monday to accuse Dan Helmer, one of the candidates running in Virginia’s 10th Congressional District’s tight Democratic primary, of behavior that led to the local party instituting a sexual harassment policy.
Former LCDC chairs Avram Fechter, Lissa Savaglio, Alfonso Nevarez and current Deputy Chair David Bauer said in a draft press release obtained by NOTUS to be released later Monday that they are making this claim as individuals and not on behalf of the organization or a campaign. They said that they are coming forward now after being asked questions by media outlets. There are 12 candidates running in the Democratic primary, and two of the senior members involved in the statement have endorsed different candidates.
“We are some of the primary drafters of LCDC’s Sexual Harassment Policy, held various LCDC positions at the time of its adoption, and can attest that, for us, Helmer’s inappropriate behavior with our member was the primary motivation behind our involvement in adding a sexual harassment policy to LCDC’s By-Laws,” Fechter said in the statement, on behalf of the officials.