New sexual assault allegations and last week's release of the “hot-mic” recordings of "locker-room talk" have people throughout the country talking about GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

But most Republican lawmakers in Massachusetts are avoiding the topic.

When polled by Wicked Local this week on their choice for president, only 10 — 25 percent — of the state's 40 Republican legislators returned calls or emails inquiring if they will vote for Trump for president Nov. 8.

Of those who responded, no one endorsed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton but beyond that opinions were split and some legislators haven't decided yet.

"Both Clinton and Trump have done despicable things and it's sad the country doesn't have a good person to vote for - there are heroes across this country who have shown how to lead: men/women; black/white; liberal/conservative ... to be stuck with these two choices is an absolute shame," said Susan Gifford, of Wareham, in an emailed response.

Gifford represents Carver, Middleborough (Precincts 3 and 6) and Wareham.

"I believe there will be more 'October surprises' for both of them before this is over and I don't intend to make a final decision until I stand in my Precinct 1 polling place, Wareham Town Hall, on Election Day."

In an emailed reply, Sen. Patrick O'Connor, R-Weymouth, did not say whether he's voting for Trump or someone else for president. The recently elected Weymouth Republican, who is running against a Democratic and independent candidate to keep the seat, wanted to talk about his campaign on the South Shore.

"I have dedicated my complete focus to our local election before I focus my attention to national politics," O'Connor wrote.

O'Connor represents Cohasset, Duxbury, Hingham, Hull, Marshfield, Norwell, Scituate, and Weymouth.

"I have done this because I'm so disappointed that the presidential election has become something so polarizing and divisive that individuals are defining each other by which candidate they support or oppose,” he wrote. “This presidential election is not healthy for our country or our democracy."

Senators At-A-Glance

Legislator

Response

Bruce Tarr (Minority Leader) (Gloucester)

Did not return call

Richard Ross (Wrentham)

Did not return call

Donald Humason Jr. (Westfield)

Did not return call

Vinny deMacedo (Plymouth)

Did not return call

Ryan Fattman (Sutton)

Did not return call

Patrick O'Connor (Weymouth)

Will not comment

Supporting Trump

Asked whom he is supporting for president, state Rep. David DeCoste, R-Norwell, said he's voting "a straight Republican ticket."

DeCoste, who is also seeking reelection and facing a Democratic challenger Nov. 8, wanted to know if Wicked Local was going to call the Democratic legislators and ask them if they're voting for Hillary Clinton.

Whitman Republican Geoff Diehl was clear about his vote for president.

The co-chairman of Trump's Massachusetts campaign said the GOP nominee has his full support. Diehl said the voters in his district (Abington, Whitman and three East Bridgewater precincts) chose Trump and Sanders in the primary because they are looking for an "outsider," calling for change in this election, and will choose Trump again.

"My district is very likely to go with Trump and I'm looking forward to helping that happen between now and Nov. 8."

Diehl downplayed the impact of Trump's lewd videotape on his election.

"The comments certainly were inappropriate and everyone saw that, and Donald Trump saw that. He apologized and was sincere and right now is doing all he can do to restore America to prominence. And I think everyone has moved on."

Republican National Committeewoman Keiko Orrall of Lakeville is standing by Donald Trump, despite recent news reports about his alleged behavior.

"I'm supporting the Republican nominee," Orrall, a state representative, told the State House News Service Thursday morning, later affirming with greater specificity, "I'm endorsing Donald Trump."

Looking at other options

Rep. Leonard Mirra, R-West Newbury, is backing the Libertarian ticket of Gary Johnson and Bill Weld.

"I think they're the only real conservatives running," Mirra said. "Both Bill Weld and Gary Johnson are former Republican governors with very good histories of cutting wasteful spending and lowering taxes, which I think is the most important issue facing us. You can't address other issues unless you have money to spend on them."

Weld served as governor of Massachusetts from 1991 to 1997.

Trump's recent controversial statements also shaped Mirra's decision.

"That also played a role, I will admit. Not only the more recent ones he made about women, but also what he said about John McCain, Mitt Romney and other people in his own party really turned me off," Mirra said. "It shows a lack of judgment. It’s outrageous."

State Rep. Joseph McKenna, R-Webster, still hasn't made up his mind.

While he's warmed to third-party conservative Evan McMullin, McKenna is unconvinced a vote for someone outside the major parties would accomplish much.

"I still count myself among the undecided," McKenna said. "One important thing I am weighing heavily is the impact either president will have on the rest of the executive branch of government in the naming of a secretary of state, a secretary of education and Supreme Court justices. I think we have two deficient candidates. I’m not comfortable with either of those. I’ve looked at Evan McMullin’s information, and I do agree with much of what he talks about, but I am reluctant to cast a vote that would be a protest vote of sorts."

McMullin, a Utah resident, announced his candidacy for president in August. He is not on the Massachusetts ballot, so his supporters would have to mount a write-in campaign.

Not voting for president

On the other hand, state Rep. Susannah Whipps-Lee, R-Athol, said she can't bring herself to support Trump. She also opposes Clinton, and is reluctant to vote for a third-party candidate. Instead, she's voting for no one.

"I'm going to leave it blank, and I think that's an important statement to make," Whipps-Lee said.

"We've got to come up with better candidates in the future. I don't think either candidate has the qualities I'm looking for in a leader for this country. Donald Trump as the Republican nominee certainly doesn't reflect my views."

Whipps-Lee represents part of North Central Massachusetts including Erving, Gill, New Salem, Orange, Warwick, Wendell, Belchertown (Precinct A), Athol, Petersham, Phillipston, Royalston and Templeton.

Her views are reflective of Gov. Charlie Baker, who has also said he's not planning on voting in the presidential race on Nov. 8, according to the State House News Service.

"There's a reason why I said I wasn't going to vote for either of them. And let me start by saying I said wasn't going to support Donald Trump a very long time ago, seven months. I think I was one of the first elected Republican officials in the country to say that I could not see myself voting for him because I didn't believe he had the temperament to do the job. I still don't," Baker said. He added, "Secretary Clinton, in my view, has believability problems."

Not talking about it

State Rep. Shaunna O'Connell, R-Taunton, did not return calls from Wicked Local, but in an Oct. 10 interview with the Taunton Daily Gazette, she responded to statements made by her Democratic challenger, who urged O'Connell to denounce Trump.

A month ago, O'Connell told the Gazette she supported Trump, but this week declined to say whether she still does. O'Connell said she prefers to focus on the local election race, and added she does not condone Trump's remarks.

State Rep. Mathew Muratore, R-Plymouth, through an aide, declined comment when asked about how he plans to vote.

Representatives At-a-glance

Legislator

Response

Brad Jones (North Reading)

Did not return call

Jay Barrows (Mansfield)

Did not return call

Donnie Berthiaume (Spencer)

Did not return call

Nicholas Boldyga (Southwick)

Did not return call

Kate Campanale (Leicester)

Did not return call

Angelo D'Emilia (Bridgewater)

Did not return call

David DeCoste (Norwell)

Trump/Pence

Geoff Diehl (Whitman)

Trump/Pence

Shawn Dooley (Norfolk)

Did not return call

Peter Durant (Spencer)

Did not return call

Kim Ferguson (Holden)

Did not return call

Paul Frost (Auburn)

Did not return call

Susan Gifford (Wareham)

Undecided

Sheila Harrington (Groton)

Did not return call

Bradford Hill (Ipswich)

Did not return call

Steven Howitt (Seekonk)

Did not return call

Randy Hunt (East Sandwich)

Did not return call

Hannah Kane (Shrewsbury)

Did not return call

James Kelcourse (Amesbury)

Did not return call

Kevin Kuros (Uxbridge)

Did not return call

Susannah Whipps-Lee (Athol)

Won't vote

Marc Lombardo (Billerica)

Did not return call

James Lyons (Andover)

Did not return call

Joseph McKenna (Webster)

Undecided - leaning toward third-party

Leonard Mirra (West Newbury)

Johnston/Weld

David Muradian (Grafton)

Responded, did not comment

Matt Muratore (Plymouth)

Will not comment

Shaunna O'Connell (Taunton)

Will not comment

Keiko Orrall (Lakeville)

Did not return call

Elizabeth Poirier (North Attleborough)

Did not return call

Todd Smola (Warren)

Did not return call

David Vieira (East Falmouth)

Did not return call

Tim Whelan (Brewster)

Did not return call

Donald Wong (Saugus)

Did not return call

Gerry Tuoti contributed to this article.