"He has to answer the questions," Cellucci said. "He's like any other candidate where if something in their background comes up, they have to address it and we expect him to address it."

Cellucci was responding to previous allegations against Robinson, including ones for drunken driving, domestic abuse and weapons charges. The drunken driving charge was dismissed, and a charge of possession of a martial arts weapon was continued without a finding.

Asked if he was fully endorsing Robinson, as Cellucci said he was when Robinson said last week he would be a candidate, Cellucci said, "I think he needs to put it behind him and let's give him the chance to do that."

A Mansfield woman who took out a restraining order against Robinson said he forced her to engage in sex with him while the two shared a Manhattan apartment in 1997.

The complaint was withdrawn when the two came to an agreement which Robinson said was proof that the allegation was unfounded.

The woman refused to comment Monday, referring any questions to her attorney. Her attorney, Wendy Murphy, has said she signed the agreement because she saw it as a seven-year restraining order.

Cellucci, who chairs the Governor's Commission on Domestic Violence, reiterated his attention to fighting domestic violence.

"As you know, I have zero tolerance for that kind of stuff," he said.

Asked if he might be losing support from Cellucci and others in light of the allegations, Robinson said he would address those questions Tuesday at a news conference.

"I'm running hard and I'm running to win," Robinson said. "I have not yet begun to fight."

House Minority Leader Francis Marini, R-Hanson, also provided a mix of support and reservations.

"The current incumbent, who everybody seems to be so fond of, has a few similar episodes of his own," Marini said, referring to Kennedy.

Asked if he was endorsing Robinson, Marini said, "I don't really know him well enough. I'm not going to jump to a conclusion. He's been in the race how many days?"