Rep. McSally Claims Abuse By High School Track Coach: WSJ

TUCSON, AZ – Rep. Martha McSally, who is running in the Republican primary to replace Sen. Jeff Flake, claims that she was abused by her high school track coach when she was 17-years-old.

McSally, who was the first female Air Force pilot to fly in combat, has talked before of the sexual harassment suffered there.

"It took a while for me to come to a place where I understood what the hell I had been through," McSally tells the Wall Street Journal of her abuse as a teen.

"At the time, I was so afraid. I now understand – like many girls and boys who are abused by people in authority over them – there's a lot of fear and manipulation and shame." (Get Tucson Patch's daily newsletter and real-time news alerts. Or, find your local Patch here and subscribe).

She tells the paper that while she wasn't physically forced into having sex, "it certainly was emotional manipulation."

The Wall Street Journal says the coach denies the allegation and quotes him as saying, "I believe she's nuts."

McSally is considered one of the three front-runners in the race, along with disgraced former Maricopa County Sheriff Joe Arpaio who was pardoned by President Trump after being convicted of criminal contempt, and Kelli Ward, who is backed by former Trump adviser, Steve Bannon.

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Photo via Rep. McSally's Office.