Massachusetts' Republican governor is speaking out about the sexual misconduct allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh.
"The accusations brought against Judge Kavanaugh are sickening and deserve an independent investigation. There should be no vote in the Senate," Charlie Baker tweeted Thursday morning moments before accuser Christine Blasey Ford started her testimony.
Baker's tweet came a day after he reportedly dodged questions about Kavanaugh's nomination; however, he called for an investigation before the Senate's vote.
As the testimony of Ford got underway in Washington, NBC10 Boston caught up with Baker, who elaborated on his tweet.
"I said that there should be a formal investigation — an independent, formal investigation. And I said that because I believe Professor Ford. I also believe that that investigation needs to happen before anybody votes on anything," said Baker.
The high-stakes hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee comes after three women, starting with Ford, came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct involving Kavanaugh, a current Washington D.C. federal appeals court judge.
Ford claims Kavanaugh sexually assaulted her when they were both teens in the 1980s. Kavanaugh has denied her allegations, along with the allegations of two other accusers.
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Baker, who has been a frequent critic of President Donald Trump's policies, had a message for the president.
"If they don't do the investigation, I also believe that his name should be withdrawn," he said.
Baker is not the only New England Republican lawmaker calling for caution regarding the U.S. Senate voting for Kavanaugh. Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott said senators need to "get it right" regarding Kavanaugh's nomination, and also called for an investigation into the sexual misconduct claims.
As for the rest of Kavanaugh's accusers, Baker would not comment.
"Professor Ford is the is the one who’s testifying today, but I really believe we need to have these accusations, these allegations, investigated," Baker reiterated.
At a rally in Boston on Thursday, his Democratic opponent, Jay Gonzalez, still took aim at Baker for not speaking out more strongly.
"I will be a governor who stands up for women, speaks out against sexual abuse and believes survivors who have the courage to share their stories," he said.
Another Republican facing re-election this November, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, called Ford's allegations serious and said they should be fully investigated.
Through a campaign spokesman, Sununu said the Senate "should think carefully about the next steps in this process.''
His Democratic challenger Molly Kelly, said Sununu should go further and call for Trump to withdraw Kavanaugh's nomination.
"Sununu's latest statement is not enough," Kelly said in a statement. "And he owes the women of New Hampshire an apology."
If you need support today, the National Sexual Assault Hotline is available: 800-656-HOPE or online.rainn.org.
