“Innocent until proven guilty is for criminal convictions, not elections,” Mitt Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and 2012 GOP presidential nominee, tweeted. | Evan Vucci/AP Romney: 'Unfit' Moore 'should step aside'

Calling Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore “unfit for office,” Mitt Romney on Friday advised the fellow Republican to “step aside” following allegations that he had a sexual encounter with a 14-year-old girl when he was 32 years old.

“Innocent until proven guilty is for criminal convictions, not elections,” Romney, a former Massachusetts governor and 2012 GOP presidential nominee, tweeted. “I believe Leigh Corfman. Her account is too serious to ignore. Moore is unfit for office and should step aside.”


The Washington Post on Thursday published allegations from four women who said Moore pursued romantic relationships with them as teenagers when he was in his 30s. Leigh Corfman told the Post she was 14 when the 32-year-old assistant district attorney asked for her phone number. Corfman said Moore later took her to his home, told her she was pretty and kissed her.

She also recalled Moore coming into a room with nothing but underwear on. She said he kissed her, took off her pants and shirt and touched her through her bra and underwear. She further alleged that Moore guided her hand to his underwear. Corfman, however, is the only woman alleging sexual contact with Moore beyond kissing.

POLITICO Playbook newsletter Sign up today to receive the #1-rated newsletter in politics Email Sign Up By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Moore’s campaign has denied the allegations, calling the Post’s “garbage” report “the very definition of fake news.” Still, a wave of Republicans have said Moore should step aside — often with the caveat “if the allegations are true” — ranging from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) to retiring Arizona Sen. Jeff Flake.

“If there is any shred of truth to the allegations against Roy Moore, he should step aside immediately,” Flake tweeted Thursday. Flake responded again Friday, specifically to a quote attributed to Bibb County, Alabama, GOP Chairman Jerry Pow, who told a reporter he would vote for Moore even if the allegations are true “because I wouldn’t want to vote for Doug” Jones, the Democratic candidate.

“Come on, Republicans. Is this who we are?” Flake asked. “This cannot be who we are.”

Ohio Gov. John Kasich added that he’s “long opposed” Moore and “his divisive viewpoints.” And he called on fellow Republicans to join him in his opposition.

“The actions described make him unfit for office,” Kasich tweeted. “The GOP must not support him. He should step aside.”