Former Rep. Katie Hill (D-CA) told CNN late last week that she is not closing the door on potentially running for elected office again after she resigned late last month over a sex scandal.
Hill resigned on October 28 after numerous reports were published by RedState and The Daily Mail that included embarrassing images on Hill and appeared to show that she was involved in a relationship with one of her campaign staffers — something that Hill later admitted to.
Hill was also accused of having a relationship with one of her congressional staffers, something that she strongly denied, which led the House Ethics Committee to launch an investigation as members of Congress are banned from having relations with those who work for them.
“[Alyssa Milano] is supporting you,” CNN’s Chris Cuomo said. “She’s saying that you are giving cover to people who make the wrong decisions, because [your resignation] is not the way it would have gone if it were a man, so you’re reinforcing the wrong dynamic, you should have stayed and fought.”
“Oh, no, no. I don’t think it’s reinforcing it. If anything, it’s saying ‘this is what the standard should be,’ right?” Hill responded. “This is the standard we should hold everybody to. I think what I have to figure out is what is my next move is to ensure that the lessons that are learned from what happened to me are not ones that can be repeated.”
“Cyber-exploitation is something that is relatively new. It has not been touched on a federal level in terms of laws that are going to address the issue,” Hill continued. “It’s something I heard about from young women over and over again. Even at that point, I didn’t fully understand. But, I think it’s something we’re going to have to take on in a meaningful way and I hope my experience can lend to that effort.”
“Will you run again?” Cuomo asked.
“I’m not writing anything off. I’m not running anytime soon, I can tell you that much,” Hill responded. “I’m supporting the person who is running to replace me, Christy Smith, with everything that I’ve got.”
“But politics, it could very well be in your future?” Cuomo pressed. “You’re not giving me a no?”
Hill answered, “I’m not giving you a no.”
WATCH:
WATCH:
“It was the toughest decision I’ve ever made,” says fmr. Rep. Katie Hill of her resignation, adding “I know that it was the right one.”
Asked by @ChrisCuomo if she’d ever consider a return to politics, and Hill leaves it open: “I’m not giving you a no.”https://t.co/TVfyHeONWj pic.twitter.com/mKyzQlgL12
— Cuomo Prime Time (@CuomoPrimeTime) November 23, 2019
In her resignation, Hill blamed right-wing media and Republicans for her actions, saying, “This coordinated campaign carried out by the right wing media and Republican opponents enabling and perpetuating my husband’s abuse by providing him a platform is disgusting and unforgivable, and they will be held accountable.”
“I never claimed to be perfect,” the Democrat added, “but I never thought that my imperfections would be weaponized and used to try to destroy me, and the community I have loved for my entire life. For that, I am so incredibly sorry.”
“For the mistakes made along the way and the people who have been hurt, I am so sorry, and I am learning — I am not perfect person and never pretended to be,” Hill added. “It’s one of the things that made my race so special. I hope it showed others that they do belong, that their voice does matter, and that they do have a place in this country. That is something I believe with all my heart.”