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Sexual Assault Allegations Reshape Political Races from Maine to San Francisco

A candidate for San Francisco supervisor was accused of sexual assault, leading some Democrats to pull their endorsements while others wait for more evidence.
Manny Yekutiel and former presidential candidate Tom Steyer during Steyer's appearance at Manny's in San Francisco, Calif., on Wednesday, July 17, 2019. (Scott Strazzante/San Francisco Chronicle via Getty)

Sexual assault allegations have upended high-profile political campaigns across the country. This week, Democrat Graham Platner, a candidate for U.S. Senate in Maine, suspended his campaign following an accusation of rape. It comes months after former East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell’s California gubernatorial bid collapsed under similar allegations. Now, a sexual assault allegation has emerged against Manny Yekutiel, owner of Manny’s Café and candidate for San Francisco’s District 8 supervisor. KQED’s Lesley McClurg and Sydney Johnson discuss the fallout.

Then, Lesley talks with Hannah Wiley, senior politics reporter at the San Francisco Standard. She recently profiled the 29-year-old Californian who’s played a role in toppling the campaigns of Swalwell and Platner. Cheyenne Hunt is using social media to amplify allegations against men and is connecting accusers with lawyers and reporters.

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