CHARLESTON, WV (LOOTPRESS) – West Virginia Democratic Senate candidate Zachary Shrewsbury is facing allegations from a massage therapist who claims he groped her during a session in July.
The therapist posted her account of the incident on social media, prompting Shrewsbury to issue a public statement in response.
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The massage therapist said Shrewsbury contacted her while visiting a friend and asked for a massage. She brought her table and supplies to the home and set up in the living room.
According to her account, while she was working on Shrewsbury’s upper body, he reached out and groped her thigh. She said she froze in the moment and moved her leg away, but claims he continued to grope her leg three more times during the session.
Afterward, the massage therapist said she told Shrewsbury that his behavior was inappropriate.
She claims he apologized for “making (her) uncomfortable” and told her, “I’m just a flirty guy, I didn’t mean anything by it” and “I just needed something to grab onto since the massage was so good.”
Following her post, Shrewsbury shared his own account on social media:
“On July 19, I received a massage from a licensed massage therapist who was recommended by a friend. For months, I have been dealing with a bulged disc pressing in my sciatic nerve, putting me in extreme pain. During the session, I reflexively grabbed her pants / leg when she hit a sore spot in my back. She later shared with me that not only did that action make her uncomfortable, but some of my words also came across as flirtatious. I know that intention doesn’t erase the impact. What matters is how my actions were received, and I take that seriously. I spoke with her directly, apologized for what I said and did, and followed up in writing. She accepted my apology both times, but has brought it up as an issue again. I want to be clear now publicly as well: I am truly sorry for making her feel uncomfortable. I never want anyone to feel disrespected or unsafe around me. This experience has reminded me that it’s not enough to mean no harm; we have to be mindful of how our actions, and our words land with others. I take responsibility for that, and I’ll be carrying this lesson with me moving forward.”
The West Virginia Democratic Party also issued a statement Thursday:
“When someone comes forward with serious allegations of inappropriate behavior, it must be treated with dignity and respect. Too often in our society, such reports have been ignored or dismissed, and the West Virginia Democratic Party will not take that approach. The West Virginia Democratic Party unequivocally condemns this type of conduct in the strongest terms. Anyone seeking the public’s trust should demonstrate respect and accountability in both words and actions. Ultimately, candidates are responsible for their decisions, but anyone seeking public office must remain accountable to the people they hope to serve.”
Shrewsbury, a former U.S. Marine Corps veteran, is running for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito. He previously ran for the seat vacated by Sen. Joe Manchin but lost in the primary to former Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott.
