FILE - In this Saturday, May 20, 2017 file photo, Eric Bauman addresses the California Democratic Party annual convention as he seeks their vote for chairman in Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

SACRAMENTO (CBS SF / AP) — California Democratic Party Chairman Eric Bauman announced Thursday that he plans to resign, following a cascade of sexual harassment allegations that emerged against him in recent days. On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times published a report detailing the allegations against Beuman from 10 party staffers and political activists, who accused Bauman of transgressions ranging from making crude sexual comments to engaging in unwanted touching or physical intimidation. “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,” said Bauman, 59, the first openly gay person to head the state party. But given the numerous detailed, severe and corroborated allegations reported by The Times, he believes the best course of action for the party is for the chair to resign,” Newsom’s spokesman Nathan Click said. California Democratic Chairman Eric Bauman accused of sexually explicit comments, unwanted touching >>

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.
Eric C. Bauman resigns as California Democratic Party chairman after accusations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior toward party staff members and activists.