Joe Biden Is 'Genuine,' 'Endearing,' Atlanta Mayor Says

ATLANTA — As Joe Biden considers a run for president in 2020, the former vice president has come under fire lately for his alleged inappropriate behavior toward women. On Thursday, Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms took to social media to say she’s found Biden “endearing” and “genuine” in his interactions with her.

Biden, widely considered to be the frontrunner to win the 2020 Democratic nomination for president, has responded to accusations that he kissed and inappropriately touched a Nevada state lawmaker in 2014. Biden said in a statement to media outlets that he did not believe his actions were inappropriate.

“In my many years on the campaign trail and in public life, I have offered countless handshakes, hugs, expressions of affection, support and comfort,” he said. “And not once — never — did I believe I acted inappropriately. If it is suggested I did so, I will listen respectfully. But it was never my intention.”

Biden added that he might not remember the events happening as described by former Democratic Nevada state Rep. Lucy Flores, who represented District 28 from 2010 to 2014. Flores said she was 35 years old when the encounter happened. Biden came up behind her and put two hands on her shoulders, she wrote in a piece published Friday in New York Magazine’s The Cut.

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Bottoms posted this item on Twitter:

When she was a congressional aide to Rep. Jim Himes (D-4th) in 2009, Amy Lappos says Biden pulled her head towards his at a Greenwich fundraising event and rubbed noses with her.

She told the Hartford Courant that while she didn’t find it sexual, she believes the move was disrespectful and crossed a line. In fact, when it happened, her first thought was that he might kiss her on the mouth.

Patch Staff Writer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.