(KLZA)-- A bipartisan group of 13 Nebraska State Senators have issued a joint statement condemning alleged misconduct by Nebraska gubernatorial candidate Charles Herbster who is from Falls City.

The statement was issued following the release of a story in The Nebraska Examiner of corroborated allegations of sexual assault against Herbster.

In the story, eight women, including First District State Senator Julie Slama discussed their experiences with Herbster groping them during political events or beauty pageants, all saying they were grabbed and not inadvertently grazed by Herbster.

The incident involving Slama, which she confirmed, occurred in 2019 at the Douglas County Republican Party's annual Elephant Remembers dinner, alleges Herbster touched her inappropriately, by reaching up her skirt as she walked by without her consent.

The release from the 13 female State Senators says “We commend the brave women who have stepped forward to tell the truth about what they endured at the hands of Charles Herbster, including our friend and colleague, Senator Julie Slama. Sexual assault is despicable and damaging. This is not a question of politics, it is an issue of character and basic human decency. Herbsters behavior is completely unacceptable for anyone, especially someone seeking a public office of authority and trust. Herbster's actions as outlined by the Nebraska Examiner render him unfit to serve.”

Herbster’s campaign manager, Ellen Keast, in a statement issued Wednesday evening, said Herbster denied the women’s allegations “unequivocally.”  Keast said that “this is a political hit-piece built on 100% false and baseless claims.” Keast blamed the “political establishment” for “smearing and trying to destroy him with lies.”