California Democrats endorse state legislator under investigation for sexual misconduct

The California Democratic Party refused to endorse Sen. Dianne Feinstein last weekend at its state convention but did throw its endorsement behind a state legislator under investigation for sexual harassment.

The party voted Sunday to endorse a slate of federal and state candidates that included Democratic Assembly member Cristina Garcia, who placed herself on unpaid leave while allegations of sexual misconduct are being investigated.

She was accused last month by a former legislative aide in another office of groping him in 2014 at a staff softball game, after which four former staffers said she engaged in inappropriate discussions of sexual conduct and drinking during office hours.

Another ex-employee reportedly said she fired him after he refused to play “spin the bottle.”

Ms. Garcia, who has denied the allegations, was a prominent figure in the #MeToo movement, appearing in Time magazine “Persons of the Year” issue as one of the “silence breakers” and authoring legislation to combat sexual harassment. She has said that those accused of sexual harassment should resign, but she has refused to resign.

“Every complaint about sexual harassment should be taken seriously and I will participate fully in any investigation that takes place,” Ms. Garcia said in a statement earlier this month on KCRA in Sacramento. “I have zero recollection of engaging in inappropriate behavior and such behavior is inconsistent with my values.”

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