Missouri Lieutenant Governor and assumed Republican gubernatorial candidate Peter Kinder responded to allegations on Thursday that he made repeated inappropriate advances on a former stripper and Penthouse pet.
The Riverfront Times reported on Tuesday that Tammy Chapman called Peter Kinder one of her best customers when she worked at a strip club in the mid-1990s. She broke off all contact with Kinder, then a state Senator, when he allegedly became too aggressive with her.
An online photo recently began circulating that shows Kinder and Chapman together at a St. Louis bar that features so-called "pantsless parties."
Kinder issued a statement Thursday, saying "Like most people I am not proud of every place I have been but this woman's bizarre story is not true." Kinder continues, "The Democrats have tried to use these tactics against me in the past and they have failed."
Southeast Missouri State University political science professor Will Miller says Kinder didn’t do anything illegal, but the allegations could short-circuit his campaign.
"He is a single guy, but it still questions the decision-making capability which is just a question you can’t afford when you’re already down in the polls and you’re behind in money," Miller says.
Miller also says that Kinder’s scandal could affect his social conservative base.
Kinder is widely expected to announce is candidacy for governor in September.
Jacob McCleland, KRCU
Photo: Peter Kinder and Tammy Chapman at Vernin's bar. Courtesy of The Riverfront Times.
