Democratic Kansas state House candidate blames abuse of ex-girlfriend on lack of 'early childhood education funding'
19-year-old Aaron Coleman used his ex's accusations to make the case for 'Medicaid for all'
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A 19-year-old Kansas Democrat running for a seat in the state House blamed a lack of "early childhood education funding" after admitting to abusive behavior toward his ex-girlfriend on Sunday.
"We must strive to create a society safe for women, which we currently do not do," candidate Aaron Coleman wrote in a statement. "I believe if we had more early childhood education funding, and taught what healthy interpersonal relationships look like, my ex and I would have been less toxic to each other."
KANSAS DEMOCRAT LINKED TO 'REVENGE PORN' NOW SAYS HE'LL STAY IN STATE HOUSE ELECTION
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Coleman also used his ex's accusations to make a case for "Medicaid for all."
"[W]e must pass Medicaid for All so people can receive counseling and mental health support based on need for treatment and not ability to pay," he said.
Coleman’s ex-girlfriend Taylor Passow alleged that while they were dating he once slapped her and attempted to strangle her during an argument in December 2019, according to The Intercept.
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"While it is true I was abusive to my ex-girlfriend, I do not agree with the characterization being made about our experience in the hot tub the day after Christmas," Coleman wrote in a statement on Sunday. "I did not choke her. I also don't think she is intentionally lying, as I know large quantities of alcohol could be affecting both of our memories."
Coleman is running in a longtime Democratic district in which there is no Republican challenger -- although GOP candidate Kristina Smith is running as a write-in candidate.
Coleman said in August he would drop out of the race after admitting to a "revenge porn" incident when he was in middle school and to harassing others on social media, but then he reversed course later that month.
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Coleman said in August his withdrawal would have returned the district to the “same corporatist, out-of-touch 7-term incumbent that voters just rejected,” referring to state Rep. Stan Frownfelter. Coleman beat Frownfelter in a primary by 14 votes.
Frownfelter also plans to launch a write-in campaign, The Kansas City Star reported.
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Fox News' Brie Stimson contributed to this report.