In conceding defeat to incumbent Scott
Peters on Sunday, Carl DeMaio stated that he was committed to
broadening the base of the Republican Party.
DeMaio was one of three openly gay GOP
candidates running for Congress in this election cycle, none of whom
are headed to Washington.
But the race to represent the people of
California's 52nd Congressional District, which includes a
large part of San Diego, was so close that it was not called for
Peters until Friday.
“It's clear that we are falling short
in the vote counts and I wish Mr. Peters the best because I care so
much about the interests of San Diego,” DeMaio, 40, told the AP.
“I'm incredibly proud of the
inclusive and diverse campaign coalition that we forged and I remain
committed to challenging the Republican Party to become more
inclusive and more positive in its efforts to build a governing
majority.”
Last-minute allegations of sexual
harassment by a former campaign staffer who is gay rocked DeMaio's
campaign.
DeMaio, who is a relationship with
publisher Johnathan Hale, called the allegations “false” and
“incredibly painful to me and my family.”
“And given that, all, including
myself, must be wary of the state of journalism today and where
electoral politics are heading,” he said.