Three Democratic U.S. senators want the event moved from Donald Trump's Bedminster golf course.
TRENTON -- A trio of Democratic U.S. senators are calling on the United States Golf Association to move next year's U.S. Women's Open away from Donald Trump's Bedminster golf course.
Trump National Bedminster -- one of three private clubs that Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, owns in the Garden State -- is set to host the event next July.
But Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, Bob Casey, of Pennsylvania, and Edward Markey of Massachusetts are asking USGA executive director Mike Davis to change that because of what they call a "pattern of degrading and dehumanizing women" over decades.
Politi: USGA should move Women's Open from Trump's course
"The decision that the USGA makes is more consequential than simply the geographic location of a golf tournament," the senators wrote in a letter to Davis Tuesday. "In declining future association with a brand that degrades women, the USGA and LPGA have an opportunity to make clear to the world, and most especially young Americans, that our nation will not tolerate nor do business with any company that condones or excuses action that constitutes sexual assault."
Nether spokespeople for the USGA nor Trump's campaign immediately returned messages seeking comment from NJ Advance Media.
Trump has repeatedly been criticized on the campaign trail for the way he has spoken about women.
The criticism reached a boiling point earlier this month after a 2005 video surfaced showing Trump bragging about forcibly kissing and groping women. Trump apologized but dismissed the conversation as "locker-room talk" and said he never acted on his words.
But in the following weeks, 11 women came forward accusing Trump of sexually harassing them -- including a New Jersey woman. Trump has denied every claim, saying the stories are "fabricated" and vowing to sue all of his accusers after the election is over.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.