SACRAMENTO, Calif. _ California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman, leader of one of the most influential political forces in the nation, said Thursday he intended to resign after allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior toward party staff members and activists.
Bauman's decision to resign follows a report from the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday that said 10 party staff members and political activists accused him of making crude sexual comments and engaging in unwanted touching or physical intimidation in professional settings.
"I have made the realization that in order for those to whom I may have caused pain and who need to heal, for my own health, and in the best interest of the Party that I love and to which I have dedicated myself for more than 25 years, it is in everyone's best interest for me to resign my position as chair of the California Democratic Party," Bauman said.
Gov.-elect Gavin Newsom and other top Democrats including state Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, a San Diego Democrat, and Controller Betty Yee had earlier called on Bauman to resign, ratcheting up the pressure for him to step down.
"Sexual harassment shouldn't be tolerated _ no person or party, no matter how powerful, is above accountability," Newsom's spokesman Nathan Click said on Thursday.
The chairman's resignation comes during a nationwide reckoning on sexual harassment and assault that was ushered in by the #MeToo movement, which has led to the downfall of powerful figures including Hollywood moguls, entertainers, politicians and CEOs. Bauman, a gay married man, faces accusations of misconduct from men and women, including many young, low-level party staffers who felt their futures in politics were, at least in part, at his mercy.
A Bronx-born former nurse who rose to political power through his years as a labor leader and LGBTQ political activist, Bauman, 59, led the Los Angeles County Democratic Party from 2000 to 2017 before party delegates elected him chairman of the California Democratic Party. As leader, he helps guide the party's campaign efforts, fundraising and policy positions.
On Saturday, Bauman said he would take a leave of absence after he was accused of unspecified misconduct in a letter by state party Vice Chairman Daraka Larimore-Hall that referred to "a clear and escalating pattern of Chairman Bauman's horrific and dehumanizing behavior" and called for his resignation. Bauman said in a statement that he hoped to put the matter behind him after an independent investigation was conducted by outside counsel hired by the party.
Bauman was then confronted Wednesday with several allegations of misconduct in a story by the Times that said seven current party staffers had accused him of making sexually explicit comments in the workplace, including references to his and and others' genitalia, and remarks about sex acts and his sexual attraction to some staff members.
In statement to the Times responding to the allegations, Bauman said he would "seek medical intervention to address serious, ongoing health issues and to begin treatment for what I now realize is an issue with alcohol."
"The events of the last few days have given me the opportunity to reflect on my actions and their potential effect on other people. I deeply regret if my behavior has caused pain to any of the outstanding individuals with whom I've had the privilege to work. I appreciate the courage it took for these individuals to come forward to tell their stories," Bauman said. "In the interest of allowing the (California Democratic Party's) independent investigation to move forward, I do not wish to respond to any of the specific allegations."
Larimore-Hall renewed his call for Bauman's resignation Wednesday, and said a thorough investigation of the allegations and the culture inside the state Democratic Party was needed.
"We must make it clear that sexual harassment will not be tolerated on any level, by anyone," he said. "Throughout, we must engage one another with solidarity and respect, but we must also be brave enough to look inward and ask difficult questions. One thing is clear: People of a range of genders, gender expressions and sexual orientations felt unsafe working in and around the CDP. We share a profound responsibility to fix that."
Alexandra "Alex" Gallardo Rooker, one of the party's co-chairs, assumed Bauman's duties after he went on leave Saturday.
