Lawless Calls NY Congressman’s Behavior Sexist When Nagle Tried to Question Matos

Lawless Calls NY Congressman’s Behavior Sexist When Nagle Tried to Question Matos

University of Virginia political science professor Jennifer Lawless said in an interview on GoLocal LIVE that the exchange between New York Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and GoLocal News Editor Kate Nagle is an example of the persistent sexism that continues today in American politics.

Espaillat was in Rhode Island to campaign for Rhode Island Lt. Governor Sabina Matos’ congressional campaign.

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“The level of sexism coming in all different kinds of directions targeted at various people and by various people was really quite stunning. I've spent 20 years studying gender dynamics in Congressional elections and in the political arena and what I saw yesterday sort of summed it all up and in a lot of ways highlighted how far we have not come,” said Lawless, who chairs the political science department at the University of Virginia. 

At a press availability on Tuesday, Nagle tried to ask Matos questions about the ongoing investigations into her campaign's signatures, but New York Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) repeatedly interrupted Nagle's questions.

 

WATCH THE FULL EXCHANGE BETWEEN THE CONGRESSMAN AND NAGLE BELOW

 

“The Congressman from New York decided that it was better for him to just say it, so he literally shushes Sabina Matos -- he puts his hands on her shoulder to sort of like hold her in place but make it clear that she's not supposed to participate and he basically reads Kate and everybody else the riot act about how Sabina Matos has been victimized and he's not going to let her be victimized again,” said Lawless who is the author of a number of books on sexism in American politics.

Matos’ campaign is being investigated by the Rhode Island State Police. Hundreds of signatures have been thrown out and dozens of nomination signatures are believed to be forged by Matos campaign workers.