Over a dozen supporters and friends of Judge Brett Kavanaugh and his sex assault accuser Dr. Christine Blasey Ford have shown up to lend their support during the much anticipated Senate Judiciary Committee’s hearing into the allegation that dates back to when the two were in high school.
At least 20 seats were reserved for the supporters, who included Ford’s teenage best friend Sandra Gichner and another close pal, Samantha Semerad, who attended the Holton-Arms School with Ford for six years.
One Ford supporter, who declined to give his name, said he’s been friends with Ford for eight years and came to the hearing to be “a friendly face outside of the chaos.”
“I feel for her because I know how terrifying this is and how nervous she’s been and how it has impacted her life. It’s very emotional,” the supporter, wearing a suit with a purple tie, said.
“She’s a mom and thrown into the spotlight. It’s hard. It’s terrifying…. she’s a very genuine and sincere person. I think it’s important for people to know that she’s not here for political reasons. She’s here just to say her piece and speak to Kavanaugh’s character and that’s it.”
The seats of supporters take up the first two rows directly behind the witness stand and both Kavanaugh and Ford were allowed an even number of supporters. They’re all wearing brown “witness” badges that distinguish them from invited guests and members of the media who are also in the room.
Ford’s husband is not present for the hearings and instead will be in California caring for the couple’s two children today, CNN reported. Friends of Ford, some of whom flew across the country to support her, will be taking up the rest of the reserved seats, the outlet added.