DeKalb County Commissioner Nancy Jester endorsed Sen. David Shafer's campaign for Georgia lieutenant governor just one week after he was accused of sexual harassment. Jester will also serve as state co-chair of the campaign.
She said her endorsement was not impacted by the harassment complaint, which she believes could be politically motivated. A unnamed veteran lobbyist accused Shafer of retaliating against her once she rejected his advances when he helped her get a bill passed in 2011. Shafer, a Duluth Republican, denies any wrongdoing.
“If somebody is going to bring proof forward, please do so,” Jester said. “I would certainly put it into my calculus if I could see that, but I just haven’t been presented that.”
In a press release announcing the endorsement, Jester says Shafer is man of integrity and conservative values. In a later interview she said she is backing his campaign because she feels he is the most qualified and prepared for the job.
“What I do know about Sen. Shafer is that he is a policy wonk,” she said. “He is very diligent in his work. I also think he has a good relationship in the Senate, and that has to be looked at if you’re going to be the lieutenant governor.”
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