Updated at 6:52 pm.
Two Holyoke City Councilors are calling on Mayor Alex Morse to resign after admitting he had sexual relationships with students enrolled in local universities. Officials at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst are now investigating whether Morse used his position as an adjunct instructor to take advantage of students.
The allegations come as the 31-year old mayor is campaigning to unseat Rep. Richard Neal in the Democratic Primary in September. Morse said any relationships have been consensual and that he never used his positions either as mayor or as an adjunct lecturer for “romantic or sexual gain, or to take advantage of students.”
The mayor apologized for causing any discomfort and said he will continue his congressional run.
“I think he's admitted to enough things already and that he should step down,” Councilor-at-Large Michael Sullivan said.
Sullivan said he wants the city council to launch its own investigation, and he’s hoping to get a consensus.
“If in fact he’s admitted having done what he said he did in his role as a professor at UMass, he’s violated those principles of higher standards, those ethical standards that we’re all held to,” Sullivan said.
Sullivan said at this point, he’s worried about the city's reputation.
“Congressional campaign or not, you know, I don’t have a horse in that race, I only care about the city of Holyoke,” Sullivan said.
Ward 5 Councilwoman Linda Vacon has also asked for Morse to resign.
The allegations surfaced after a student group, College Democrats of Massachusetts, said Morse was no longer welcome at their events.
Rep. Richard Neal’s office declined to comment on the matter.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
