Eric C. Bauman
Chair of the California Democratic Party
In office
May 20, 2017 – November 29, 2018
Preceded byJohn Burton
Succeeded byAlex Gallardo-Rooker (acting)
Personal details
Born
Eric Carl Bauman

(1958-12-10) December 10, 1958
New York City, New York, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationExcelsior College (BS)
American Century University
WebsiteOfficial website

Eric Carl Bauman (born December 10, 1958) is an American political operative who was, until 2018, the chair of the California Democratic Party. Previously the vice chair of the state party (2009–2017) and chair of the Los Angeles Democratic Party (2000–2017), he is known for his influence in Los Angeles County Democratic politics. He announced his resignation as head of the California Democratic Party on November 29, 2018, following sexual misconduct allegations.[1]

Early life and education

Born in The Bronx, New York, Bauman worked as a registered nurse for many years before entering politics. He obtained his bachelor's degree in nursing from Excelsior College. He also obtained graduate education in health care administration from Century University, now known as American Century University, an unaccredited, for-profit university based in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Political influence

Bauman was chair of the California Democratic Party, the largest state Democratic Party entity in the United States.[2]

Bauman has been referred to as a "kingmaker" in Los Angeles County Democratic politics by LA Weekly. In the article he claimed, "I don't make promises or ask people to do things in a quid pro quo format. That would be against the law."[3]

Under his leadership, the Los Angeles Democratic Party was awarded 15 Pollie Awards and three Reed Awards.[4]

Bauman is regularly quoted by the Los Angeles Times[5] and often appears on CNN and KTTV Fox 11 News[6] on issues relating to Los Angeles County and California Democratic politics. Bauman also makes regular monthly appearances on Charter Communications' California Edition.[7]

He is a senior adviser to the speaker of the California State Assembly, Anthony Rendon, and was previously for John Pérez and Toni Atkins, in addition to having been Governor Gray Davis' Southern California director, and having been Deputy Insurance Commissioner under then-Insurance Commissioner John Garamendi.

Before attending the 2016 Democratic National Convention as a PLEO delegate, Bauman was featured in a special edition of KNBCLA's News Conference with Conan Nolan.[8]

Bauman put in a bid to be chair of the California Democratic Party in 2017, defeating his opponent Kimberly Ellis.[9]

On May 20, 2017, he was elected chair of the California Democratic Party at the annual state convention. He was the first openly gay person and the first Jew to be chair of the party.[10]

Controversy

On November 29, 2018, Bauman resigned from his position as chair of the California Democratic Party after lawsuits alleged that he committed sexual harassment, discrimination and sexual assault.[11] These included allegations by Bauman's assistant, William Floyd, that "Bauman forcibly performed oral sex on him several times and that the party failed to respond appropriately to Bauman’s behavior". In his lawsuit, "Floyd alleges Bauman threatened him, telling him "if you cross me, I will break you.""[12]

The lawsuits were settled in 2020 for nearly $3 million.[13]

Personal life

He lives in North Hollywood with his husband of many years, Michael. His uncle is the musician Jon "Bowzer" Bauman, formerly of Sha Na Na.

In November 2018, the California Democratic Party vice chairman, Daraka Larimore-Hall, filed a complaint accusing Bauman of having sexually assaulted or harassed Larimore-Hall's staff members.[14]

Pharmaceutical consulting

Bauman has been criticized for his ties to California's pharmaceutical industry. He lobbied against Proposition 61 which would have prohibited the state from buying drugs that are more expensive than the price the Department of Veterans Affairs pays.[15] This criticism re-emerged following his election to become chair of the California Democratic Party.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Willon, Phil; Mason, Melanie (November 30, 2018). "California Democratic Party leader Eric Bauman to resign after accusations of sexual misconduct". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
    - "CA Democratic Party chair resigns amid misconduct allegations". ABC. November 29, 2018. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  2. ↑ "Who We Are". Los Angeles County Democratic Party. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  3. ↑ Aron, Hillel (December 22, 2011). "Eric Bauman, L.A. Democratic Party Kingmaker". LA Weekly. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  4. ↑ "Campaign Awards". Los Angeles County Democratic Party. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  5. ↑ "L.A. County OKs contract to design new touch-screen voting system". Los Angeles Times. October 22, 2014. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Eric Bauman on the first Jerry Brown vs. Meg Whitman debate". Los Angeles Democratic Party. September 30, 2010. Retrieved November 12, 2016 – via YouTube.
    - "Bauman vs. Tea Partiers on Fox". Los Angeles Democratic Party. December 31, 1969. Retrieved November 12, 2016 – via YouTube.
  7. ↑ "Eric Bauman on California Edition". Retrieved November 12, 2016.
  8. ↑ "NewsConference Extra All Eyes on Philadelphia DNC". Archived from the original on August 4, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  9. ↑ Willon, Phil; Mehta, Seema (May 16, 2017). "'Old school versus new school:' The battle over who will run the California Democratic Party". Los Angeles Times. ISSN 0458-3035. Retrieved May 18, 2017.
  10. ↑ "May election: Will a gay man lead California Democrats?". Desert Sun. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  11. ↑ "California Democratic Party leader Eric Bauman to resign after accusations of sexual misconduct". Los Angeles Times. November 30, 2018. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  12. ↑ The Sacramento Bee
  13. ↑ Mai-Duc, Christine (January 4, 2020). "California Democratic Party Pays More Than $2.9 Million to Settle Harassment, Discrimination Claims". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved March 25, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Party official accuses state Democratic chairman of sexual misconduct". SF Chronicle. November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
    - "Cal Dem Chairman Accused Of Sexual Misconduct". CBS. November 24, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
    - Koseff, Alexei (November 24, 2018). "California Democratic Party leader investigated for sexual misconduct". The Sacramento Bee. ISSN 0890-5738. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
  15. ↑ Matier & Ross (June 13, 2016). "Democratic adviser Eric Bauman collects cash to fight drug measure". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
    - Willon, Phil (December 1, 2016). "California Democratic Party leaders may be asked to fess up when paid to back ballot measures". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
  16. ↑ Cooper, Jonathan J. (May 21, 2017). "California Democratic chair race angers 'Berniecrats'". Miami Herald. Associated Press. Archived from the original on May 21, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2017.
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