Marianne Williamson hires Sanders alum accused of forcibly kissing staffer
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — Marianne Williamson has hired a former adviser to Bernie Sanders who was accused of committing sexual assault during 2016 to run her campaign in Iowa, she told POLITICO on Friday.
Sanders and his campaign in waiting ousted Robert Becker — who was Sanders’ Iowa caucus director during the 2016 campaign and was poised to have a role in his 2020 campaign — early in 2019 after POLITICO reported that a former female subordinate had come forward late in 2018 to tell senior Sanders staffers that Becker had forcibly kissed her and put his tongue in her mouth on the final night of the 2016 campaign. Several staffers from the 2016 campaign said Becker engaged in other unprofessional behavior.
Asked about the hire before a Democratic presidential candidate gathering in Iowa on Friday, Williamson initially asked to wait for a communications aide to assist her, but then defended the hire.
“I believe in forgiveness. I believe in redemption. I believe in people rising up after they’ve fallen down,” Williamson, a spiritual adviser and author, said. “I had not read anything or heard anything that made me feel this was a man who never deserved to work again.”
Despite splashy debate performances, Williamson has languished in polls at around 1 percent.
Asked whether she felt Becker was apologetic, she said that was her “impression” but declined to discuss their private conversations.
In January, Becker denied the allegations against him. “I categorically deny these allegations of improper and unprofessional conduct.”
He wrote that the alleged assault on the final night of the 2016 Democratic National Convention was “at odds with my recollection of a late evening filled with many hugs and kisses and tears and conversations about what’s next.”
The woman, whose account was corroborated by three other people who either witnessed the encounter or were told about it soon after, said in January that “[c]andidates who allow people like Robert Becker to lead their organizations shouldn't earn the highest office in our government.”
The woman was granted anonymity because she feared retaliation from supporters of Sanders and Becker, who has a loyal following of his own. “You can’t run for president of the United States unless you acknowledge that every campaign demands a safe work environment for every employee and volunteer,” she said.
The woman said Friday that she stands by her original statement.
Williamson spokeswoman Patricia Ewing provided a statement on the hiring after this story posted. It read in full:
“Robert Becker is a talented organizer who has worked in politics for decades. We take the accusations from 4 years ago seriously. After many hours of candid conversation with Robert and numerous people who have worked both with him and on opposing sides, we believe the opportunity for professional redemption is appropriate. Providing all staff and volunteers with a safe and positive working environment is a top priority. All Marianne 2020 campaign staff are required to take a course to help prevent and identify workplace harassment. Robert has successfully completed the course. We welcome Robert to the campaign and are confident that he will be an effective, professional and trustworthy Iowa State Director.”
