RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Latest on the sexual harassment complaint within the North Carolina NAACP (all times local):

9:55 p.m.

The former employee of the North Carolina NAACP who says her supervisor sexually harassed her says the man's suspension from the civil rights organization is "a bittersweet victory."

In a text message to The Associated Press issued through her attorney, Jazmyne Childs said Thursday that "she waited in agony for two years" for the suspension of the Rev. Curtis Gatewood, whom she identified at a news conference Wednesday as the supervisor who harassed her.

Childs says Gatewood must be expelled and the national NAACP must develop a sexual harassment policy.

Earlier Thursday, NAACP President Derrick Johnson said he suspended Gatewood's membership. Gatewood has denied the allegations and says he'll seek a hearing on his suspension.

The suspension means Gatewood can't run for president of the North Carolina NAACP. The election is scheduled for Oct. 5.

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7:50 p.m.

The man suspended from the NAACP because of claims that he sexually harassed a former employee in the civil rights organization's national office says he'll seek a hearing to clear his name.

In a text message to The Associated Press, the Rev. Curtis Gatewood says "the allegations are totally false." He accused the past president, the Rev. William Barber, of bringing out the allegations in the days before the Oct. 5 race for president of the state NAACP in order to help the other candidate.

Gatewood was challenging the incumbent, the Rev. T. Anthony Spearman. His membership suspension means he can't run for office.

At a news conference Wednesday, Jazmyne Childs named Gatewood as the supervisor who began harassing her shortly after she started her job in January 2017. On Thursday, the national NAACP said it was suspending Gatewood from membership.

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6:20 p.m.

The national NAACP says a candidate for president of the civil rights organization's state chapter has been suspended from membership as it investigates a sexual harassment claim against him.

In a statement posted Thursday on its website, the Baltimore-based organization says the membership of the Rev. Curtis Gatewood is suspended immediately, pending a hearing about the sexual harassment claim by a former employee of the North Carolina NAACP.

Jazmyne Childs named Gatewood as the person who harassed her. Gatewood has denied the allegation. He didn't respond to a text, email or Facebook message seeking comment.

Gatewood was running against the incumbent in the Oct. 5 election for the state NAACP president.