Advocates call on Sen. Flake to vote against Kavanaugh during rally

MANCHESTER, New Hampshire — Advocates greeted US Senator Jeff Flake at a rally ahead of his visit to St. Anselm's College in Manchester Monday night.

Sen. Flake, a decisive vote in Brett Kavanaugh's nomination for Supreme Court Justice, was called by advocates to vote against the nominee, reminding him of the impact his decision will have on his legacy and that women around the world will be watching.

In Manchester, New Hampshire, Flake was asked what would cause him to vote "no" on nominee Brett Kavanaugh. He pointed to "any evidence that corroborates" Kavanaugh's accuser's story of sexual assault. Kavanaugh has denied all accusations of sexual misconduct decades ago.

Flake told reporters that "any nominee that lies to the committee, that is disqualifying."

Sen. Flake single-handedly delayed the proceedings for Kavanaugh, telling Boston 25 News he has no regrets.

"I think it was the right thing to do and hopefully we will have more information, I’m not certain it will be all the information that we want to have, it’s never perfect but it will be more information to help guard our decisions," said Sen. Flake.

Flake, who has been known for clashing views with President Trump, describes the current climate in Washington as poisonous.

"I'm a proud conservative and republican that doesn’t make democrats my enemies," said Sen. Flake.

A sister event hosted by ProgressNow Arizona took place at around 5 p.m. ET, the same time the rally was held in Manchester in Flake's home state.

“Calling for an FBI investigation is a step in the right direction” said Josselyn Berry, co-director of ProgressNow Arizona. “But it’s what Senator Flake does next that will determine his legacy—and the course of history. Flake can vote no on Kavanaugh's confirmation, and prevent a man facing multiple, credible allegations of sexual assault from receiving a lifetime appointment to the nation’s highest court. Or Flake can vote yes and show the world once again that he lacks the courage to live up to his own convictions. The choice is his. The nation is watching."

“This may be one of the last opportunities for Senator Flake to hear directly from the American public ahead of his vote on the Supreme Court nomination,” said Zandra Rice Hawkins, executive director of Granite State Progress. “It's up to us to remind Flake that women and survivors around the world are watching his every move. New Hampshire is a state that celebrates politicians who don’t ask for permission to do what they know is right. We expect real leaders to stand up for their ideals, regardless of political pressure.”

Sen. Flake told the crowd at St. Anselm that he will wait until the FBI investigation is concluded before he makes a decision on Kavanaugh.

"I think that this could be his legacy to stand up or women," said Katie Hedberg, of Plymouth, NH. "I think for way to long women have suffered abuse at the hands of important men."

Earlier in the day, sexual assault survivors and their supporters stood outside Boston City Hall with the same anti-Kavanaugh message for Sen. Flake.

Sen. Flake says it's been an eye-opening experience for him and he's waiting for the FBI to finish it's investigation.

"Our office has been getting calls from strangers about this, not even constituents - it’s been certainly an education and that’s a positive thing," said Sen. Flake.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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