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Cal Cunningham admits to sexual messages with Calif. woman, will stay in Senate race

North Carolina Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Cal Cunningham issued a statement Friday night apologizing for sexually-suggestive text messages he sent to a woman in California.

Posted Updated

By
Jason O. Boyd
, WRAL multiplatform producer
RALEIGH, N.C. — Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Cal Cunningham apologized on Friday night for sending sexual messages to a woman in California.
A story published by the website NationalFile.com indicates Cunningham, who is running against Republican Sen. Thom Tillis, "engaged in the extramarital activity with the wife of a fellow veteran."

The website identified the woman as Arlene Guzman Todd. Her husband is Jeremy Todd, who served 15 years in the Army, according to information from website said.

Cunningham is married to Elizabeth Cunningham and has two children. He said in a statement that he will not drop out of the Senate race.

"I have hurt my family, disappointed my friends and am deeply sorry," he said. "The first step in repairing those relationships is taking complete responsibility, which I do. I ask that my family’s privacy be respected in this personal matter.

"I remain grateful and humbled by the ongoing support that North Carolinians have extended in this campaign, and in the remaining weeks before this election I will continue to work to earn the opportunity to fight for the people of our state."

Cunningham's statement came hours after Tillis posted on Twitter that he has the coronavirus. Tillis said he "will be self-isolating at home for 10 days."

Tillis' campaign responded to the public apology made by Cunningham.

"Our campaign is focused on the health of Senator Tillis and our staff," a spokesperson for Tillis said.

Cunningham said Guzman Todd was "historically sexy" and was dreaming "of our time together." Guzman Todd said in one text to Cunningham she wants "a night with you," and Cunningham agreed, NationalFile reported.

"The only thing I want on my to do list is you," Guzman Todd also wrote.

According to NationalFile, Cunningham replied: "Sounds so hot and so fun."

NationalFile said Guzman Todd has been listed as a media director of a marijuana public relations company and, in the past, has been a lecturer at California State University.

Wayne Goodwin, chairman of the North Carolina Democratic Party, said that the race is about "which candidate will stand up for North Carolina and protect our healthcare."

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