Democrats call for Wake lawmaker to resign after sexual harassment allegations

The site quotes Jessie White, described as a top campaign official for several Democratic legislative candidates, as saying Hall commented on her looks and weight. After she mentioned some relationship troubles to Hall at a bar in 2016 he whispered in her ear, “If you give me two hours, you’ll forget about all those other guys," the article states.

Hall, 51, denied this accusation and others against him to Policy Watch.

“One-hundred percent, I have never harassed at the General Assembly,” the website quoted him saying. “I have never harassed anyone or engaged in anything that was not completely consensual.”

Among the other allegations against Hall: that he kissed a party official without her consent at a Democratic event in June 2016 and that he made persistent sexual advances toward a woman at an LGBT event that October. An unnamed legislative aide said Hall often made sexually suggestive comments, including "You know you want me."

Hall was not at his law office downtown or his state legislative office Wednesday. WRAL News left a message seeking comment with his aide.

An effort to reach White for an interview has not yet been successful.

Cooper said in an emailed statement that "these allegations are disturbing, and I believe he should resign."

"We must create a culture where harassment of any kind is unacceptable," Cooper said.

In a statement sent to WRAL News on Wednesday, House Minority Leader Darren Jackson said, "The allegations surrounding Representative Duane Hall are serious and the women involved deserve to be heard and supported."

"He has made unacceptable mistakes in harassing women," said Jackson, D-Wake. "Yesterday, I spoke with him and asked him to resign. I think it is right that he step back from public service, work to make amends and learn from his past mistakes.”

North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Goodwin also called on Hall to step down.

“Sexual harassment is never acceptable – no matter the party or politics," Goodwin said in a statement. "These are serious allegations, and Representative Hall should step down. The North Carolina Democratic Party has no tolerance for sexual harassment, and we continue to encourage women to speak out against inappropriate behavior of any kind.”

Hall's seat, and every other seat in the General Assembly, is up for election this year. He has filed for re-election in House District 11 and had been hinting toward a future statewide run.