Rep. DeGette says ex-congressman Filner tried to kiss her

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette says former California congressman Bob Filner tried to kiss her in an elevator while they served in Congress together.

The Colorado Democrat told MSNBC’s “MTP Daily ” on Monday that Filner tried to pin her against the elevator’s door and kiss her but that she pushed him away.

DeGette’s spokeswoman, Lynne Weil, says the incident happened in 2009 or 2010.

Filner denied it Tuesday, saying in an email: “It never happened.”

Filner, a Democrat, served in Congress from 1993 to 2012. He resigned as San Diego mayor in 2013 amid sexual harassment allegations. He pleaded guilty in three cases of unwanted kissing or touching.

DeGette said she’s concerned about people’s reluctance to identify sexual harassers in Congress because that allows them to continue their behavior.