Cardinals president Michael Bidwill reaffirms support of Brett Kavanaugh

PHOENIX — Arizona Cardinals president Michael Bidwill, who went to high school with Brett Kavanaugh, reaffirmed his support for the embattled Supreme Court nominee.

Bidwill was among 60 men and women who signed a letter sent to Senate Committee on the Judiciary leaders Wednesday refuting the latest allegations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh.

The signees all attended Georgetown Prep with Kavanaugh or its sister schools.

The letter was addressed to committee chairman Sen. Charles Grassley (R-Iowa) and ranking member Sen. Diane Feinstein (D-Calif.).

The text of the letter, as released by the White House, is as follows:

We are men and women who knew Brett Kavanaugh well in high school. We have seen reports today that Julie Swetnick, who says she graduated from Gaithersburg High School, submitted a declaration to the Committee alleging that Brett participated in horrific conduct during high school, including targeting girls for gang rape. Nonsense. We never witnessed any behavior that even approaches what is described in this allegation. It is reprehensible.

In the extensive amount of time we collectively spent with Brett, we do not recall having ever met someone named Julie Swetnick. Nor did we ever observe Brett engaging in any conduct resembling that described in Ms. Swetnick’s declaration.

Brett Kavanaugh is a good man. He has always treated women with respect and decency.

He is a man of honor, integrity, and compassion. These shameful attacks must end. This process is a disgrace and is harming good people.

It’s the second time Bidwill signed a letter sent to Senate leaders in support of Kavanaugh.

The first was in July, after President Donald Trump announced he was nominating Kavanaugh to replace Justice Anthony Kennedy, who retired.

“I’ve known him for more than 37 years,” Bidwill told AZCardinals.com at the time.

“We stayed in close contact over the years – we have a pretty tight high school class – and we all knew Brett was pretty special. He’s got a sharp mind. He’s been a brilliant jurist for a long time.”

Swetnick was the third woman to go on the record with accusations of sexual misconduct against Kavanaugh.

Republican leaders indicated they were still determined to have the committee vote on recommending Kavanaugh on Friday — after a dramatic Thursday hearing at which both Kavanaugh and one of his accusers, California college professor Christine Blasey Ford, are to testify.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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