CALIFORNIA: Openly Gay State Democratic Party Chair To Resign After Allegations Of Sexual Harassment

The Los Angeles Times reports:

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 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.

The San Francisco Chronicle reports:

Bauman, 59, a Bronx-born nurse and political operative from Los Angeles, was the state party’s first openly gay leader. He was elected by Democratic convention delegates in a bitter 2017 race against Kimberly Ellis, a Richmond resident who was allied with Bernie Sanders supporters who have gained increasing control of the state party’s organization. Bauman was more identified with the Hillary Clinton wing of the party.