LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — After former congressman Ruben Kihuen announced he's running for Las Vegas City Council Ward 3, a group opposing his campaign created a website called 'No Means No.'
Kihuen was accused of sexual misconduct by women who worked with him, and those allegations were backed up after a congressional investigation.
Kihuen refused to resign, but didn't run for re-election to Congress, which many thought was the end of his political career. But instead, Kihuen surprised many by turning around and announcing he's running for Las Vegas City Council.
Former supporters like Maria-Teresa Liebermann say they were disgusted and shocked. Liebermann helped launch a new website - nomeansnoruben.com
The website highlights some of the text messages Kihuen sent to women including "what color are your panties" and "come sit on my lap." Liebermann says his actions show a pattern of how he treated women while in office. She feels Kihuen hasn't done enough to apologize and make amends in the community before jumping into the political arena again.
Liebermann says because city elections tend to get less attention than presidential and other midterms, she believes Kihuen is trying to fly under the radar. "It's why this website to so important to remind voters who he is," she says.
But some voters in Kihuen's district are willing to give him another chance. "He's done good work," says Alfonso Landa. "Hopefully he learned his lesson."
Kihuen's campaign website doesn't list an office, and Kihuen didn't return our calls. And it looks as though he's not leaving the race, meaning the ultimate judge of his actions will be the voters.
You can read the full congressional report into Kihuen here.
