Amanda Renteria, a Democratic candidate for governor in California, has called on fellow gubernatorial candidate and current Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom (D., Calif.) to step down, accusing him of sexual misconduct and "misusing his power."
In a lengthy series of tweets, Renteria pointed to allegations of an affair Newsom conducted with his appointments secretary while he was mayor of San Fransisco and to Newsom's dating of a 19-year-old student when he was 38.
Renteria previously served as the political director of Hillary Clinton's 2016 presidential campaign. She announced her candidacy for governor on Feb. 14, 2018. Newsom previously served as the mayor of San Francisco from 2004 to 2010 before he was then elected lieutenant governor, defeating six candidates.
Renteria initially tweeted a statement Thursday in which she called on Newsom to step down as lieutenant governor.
Today, I am calling on Gavin Newsom to step down from his position as Lieutenant Governor. Someone with a history of sexual misconduct in the workplace doesn’t deserve to hold elected office in California. /1 pic.twitter.com/k1s6YRmkfK
— Amanda Renteria (@AmandaRenteria) March 15, 2018
She linked to a Medium post she wrote titled, "My #MeToo Story and Why It Matters," before turning to Newsom's history of alleged misconduct.
And yet, a candidate for the most powerful position in our state has a pattern of misusing his power in the workplace. /8
— Amanda Renteria (@AmandaRenteria) March 15, 2018
Renteria pointed to two separate relationships she took issue with. The first occurred with his appointments secretary, whose husband was Newsom's campaign manager and friend. Newsom was also married at the time.
In 2007, @SFGate reported - Gavin Newsom had multiple sexual encounters with his appointments secretary while he was mayor. That employee’s husband was Newsom’s best friend and campaign manager. /9
— Amanda Renteria (@AmandaRenteria) March 15, 2018
The scandal was deceptively hidden from the public for more than a year. /10 https://t.co/GPiocB0OtT
— Amanda Renteria (@AmandaRenteria) March 15, 2018
The second involved Newsom dating a 19-year-old student whom he took to city gala where she was photographed drinking alcohol. Renteria tweeted an article from ABC News in 2006 detailing the affair.
Sadly, there’s more. @SFChronicle reported that Newsom, then a 38 yr old mayor, dated a 19 year old student. He took her to a city gala where she was photographed consuming alcohol. /13 https://t.co/H4Xwa04gwv
— Amanda Renteria (@AmandaRenteria) March 15, 2018
Renteria's calls follow California State Senator Tony Mendoza (D.) resigning in February because of sexual harassment allegations. He offered a 19-year-old intern alcohol in a hotel suite at a Democratic Party event, and was also the subject of a two-month investigation that found that he had "more likely than not" engaged in "unwanted" sexually suggestive behavior with six women, four of whom were subordinates.
His resignation was part of a pattern of Californian lawmakers stepping down after sexual harassment allegations.
Renteria concluded by describing the current moment as a "once in a lifetime opportunity" to promote change.
The most progressive state in the union will not go back to a time when we had to politely smile while promoting someone who has harmed his employees. No more. Not ever again. /20
— Amanda Renteria (@AmandaRenteria) March 15, 2018
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to change things for future generations. We have learned the power of our voice. It’s finally time to exercise that power through real action. /end
— Amanda Renteria (@AmandaRenteria) March 15, 2018
Newsom has been considered one of the frontrunners in the race to replace Gov. Jerry Brown (D.). Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D.) is, based on recent polling, his closest challenger.