Sexual misconduct allegations loom over California Senate

California Capitol Bldg

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Eyes are on the California Senate's handling of sexual misconduct allegations against one of its members as lawmakers return to Sacramento for the new year.

Democratic Sen. Tony Mendoza of Artesia is resisting pressure to step aside amid an investigation into allegations of misconduct toward young women who worked for him. Republican Sen. Andy Vidak will try to force the issue Wednesday by introducing a resolution to expel him, putting the chamber's ruling Democrats in a tricky spot.

In the Assembly, meanwhile, resignations over misconduct allegations mean two empty seats for Democrats, and the loss of the party's two-thirds supermajority.

The session is lawmakers' first formal gathering since allegations of widespread sexual harassment at the Capitol broke open in October amid a national reckoning on the topic.

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