Pennsylvania senator declines to defend Maine Senate candidate

A Pennsylvania senator said Tuesday he would not defend a Maine Senate candidate facing scrutiny over past online messages and photos. The senator told Fox News Digital he would encourage the candidate to answer basic questions about his activity on the messaging app Kik.

He cited explicit photos the candidate allegedly shared and questioned whether adequate safeguards existed to prevent interactions with underage people.

The candidate, a Marine veteran and oyster farmer, has drawn national attention for his populist message while seeking to flip a Republican-held Senate seat. "I really would encourage 'P Hustle' to answer basic questions," the senator said, using the candidate's former online alias.

"You know, candidates have baggage. In his case, he is baggage that incidentally might be a candidate," the senator added.