GOP Senate hopeful Mike Braun says Curtis Hill ‘probably should’ resign

Republican candidate for U.S. Senate Mike Braun has joined the chorus of Republicans calling for Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill’s resignation.

Hill has been accused of inappropriately touching four women, including a Democratic state lawmaker, at a party after the General Assembly's session ended in March. Hill has repeatedly denied the allegations, but Gov. Eric Holcomb, House Speaker Brian Bosma, Senate Pro Tem David Long and other top Republican officials have all called for Hill to resign.

Since the accusations became public last week, Indiana Democrats have been pushing for Braun to comment on the situation. But Tuesday was the first time the Republican Senate candidate—who is running against Democratic incumbent Joe Donnelly—talked publicly about it.

WIBC-FM 93.1 conservative radio host Tony Katz interviewed Braun about President Donald Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Supreme Court and asked him about the Hill allegations.

Braun said he hadn’t been contacted by any media outlet seeking comment on the situation before that interview. IBJ had not tried to contact Braun prior to Tuesday.

He told Katz that there is never a place for sexual harassment and that he was disappointed when he heard about the allegations.

“It’s just not something you can sweep under the rug or you know you can get by,” Braun said. “It’s a big deal.”

When specifically asked whether Hill should resign, Braun said it’s “a personal decision.”

“He probably should,” Braun said. “But on the other side, if he defends it, that’s his right to do so.”

A statement Braun then released to the media more firmly calls for his resignation.

“The allegations against Attorney General Hill are troubling and serious,” Braun said in the statement. “I support the Governor and bipartisan leadership’s calls for his resignation. And I support this being referred to the Inspector General for a full investigation.”