Florida's Democratic party chairman resigns after report claimed he leered at women, commented on their breasts and had a boob-shaped stress ball in h

superbeets · Nov 18, 2017

[h=1]Florida's Democratic party chairman resigns after report claimed he leered at women, commented on their breasts and had a boob-shaped stress ball in his office[/h]

Stephen Bittel had held his position since January of this year
Six women accused Bittel of inappropriate behavior in a Politico report
Four Democratic candidates for Florida governorship called on Bittel to resign

superbeets · Nov 18, 2017

The chairman of the Democratic party in Florida has resigned, following accusations of sexually inappropriate behavior.
The party posted a statement from Stephen Bittel, head of the party since January, following calls for his resignation from four Democratic candidates for Florida's governorship.
Bittel's resignation follows a report from Politico on Thursday that outlined his alleged misconduct.
According to the report, Bittel made female party staffers uncomfortable with body language, comments, and even a breast-shaped stress ball on his desk.

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Stephen Bittel (above) had been at the helm of Florida's Democratic Party since January

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Florida Democratic chair Stephen Bittel (center, in white shirt and jacket) resigned his post this week following sexual misconduct allegations. Bittel is the latest of several political figures to face such allegations and media scrutiny

The candidates calling for Bittel to step down included Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham and businessman Chris King.
'When my personal situation becomes distracting to our core mission of electing Democrats and making Florida better, it is time for me to step aside,' Bittel said.

superbeets · Nov 18, 2017

'I apologize for all who have felt uncomfortable during my tenure at the Democratic Party,' Bittel said in a statement via the social media site.
According to the Politico report, none of the women accused Bittel of sexual assault.
Bittel is a wealthy real estate developer. After losing the state to the Republican Party and Donald Trump in the 2016 election, Florida's Democrats are now looking towards the 2018 Florida gubernatorial election.

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Bittel, above, had been helming the Democrats following a disappointing loss to the GOP in the 2016 elections

Additionally, Democratic Senator Bill Nelson will likely be challenged by current Florida governor and GOP member Rick Scott in a senate election next year.
Bittel is the latest politician to face sexual misconduct allegations.
President Trump has faced accusations of sexual impropriety, while senate candidate and Alabama Judge Roy Moore is facing accusations of misconduct from a number of women, and sitting Minnesota senator Al Franken has apologized following the revelation of inappropriate past actions.

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