Florida Dem Party chair resigns amid allegations of inappropriate behavior

The chairman of the Florida Democratic Party is stepping down amid allegations of inappropriate behavior toward women.

In a statement posted on the party’s Twitter account on Friday, Stephen Bittel said that his “personal situation” had become a distraction for the party and that he felt it was time for him to “step aside.”

“I am proud of what we have built as a Party and the wins we have had for Florida families, but I apologize for all who have felt uncomfortable during my tenure at the Democratic Party,” he said.

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— Florida Democrats (@FlaDems) November 17, 2017

Bittel’s last day on the job will be Monday and party vice chair Judy Mount will take over as interim chairwoman, according to the Orlando Sentinel. 

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His resignation came after Politico reported on Thursday that six former female staffers and consultants had accused Bittel of creating a “creepy” and uncomfortable work environment by making inappropriate remarks to women and inviting them to his house and on his private jet.

Bittel apologized for his behavior shortly after the report was published, saying he has “so much to learn” and vowing to “do better” going forward.

The allegations against Bittel came as a number of prominent figures in politics, media, entertainment and business face accusations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior. 

On Thursday, Leeann Tweeden, a Los Angeles morning show host, accused Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.) of forcibly kissing her and groping her while the two were on a USO tour in the Middle East in 2006. Franken has apologized for his behavior, and is facing calls from fellow lawmakers for an ethics investigation into his actions.

Numerous women have also accused Alabama GOP Senate candidate Roy Moore of pursuing sexual or romantic relations with them while they were teenagers and he was in his 30s. Dozens of GOP lawmakers and officials have called on him to step aside in the Senate race, but Moore has so far resisted those calls. He has denied most of the allegations.