Cal Cunningham dodges questions four times on affairs other than the one with Guzman, attacks Tillis instead
Democratic US Senate candidate Cal Cunningham’s personal life has yet again drawn a lot of attention following a virtual news conference conducted by his campaign. On Friday, October 9, when the senator was questioned about other extramaterial affairs, Cunningham declined to respond and used every opportunity to attack his opponent Republican Sen Thom Tillis, who he is contesting against in the upcoming elections.
Even though his campaign aimed at discussing the need for Congress' effectiveness in response to the coronavirus, it was Cunningham's personal life that became the topic of discussion during the virtual news conference. The majority of the questions were either directed at his affair with California's public relations strategist Arlene Guzman Todd or other extramarital affairs if he has had any.
Only a week ago, when hearsay surrounding his affair with Guzman started swirling, he had admitted to sending "inappropriate text messages" to her and even apologized after a few screenshots of his personal conversation with Guzman were revealed.
He said in a recorded statement, "I have hurt my family, disappointed my friends and am deeply sorry. 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."
During Friday’s news conference when reporters time and again asked Cunningham about his relationship with Guzman while asking if he had indulged in more than one such affair, he simply repeated his apology. He said, "I have taken responsibility for the hurt that I've caused in my personal life. I've apologized for it. This campaign is about more than just me... North Carolinians are looking for somebody who's going to take on the monumental challenges in front of us."
The reporters asked him four times throughout the interview if he was involved with women other than Guzman and Cunningham dodged them each time and said in response, "Let me be very clear, I'm hearing from North Carolinians that are telling me in no uncertain terms that they want their Senate candidate talking about issues."
He further noted that people are "tired of hearing about personal issues. They want somebody focused on them. They want somebody who is going to be a champion for the things that matter in their lives."
The senator also used the opportunity to take a dig at Tillis, as he said, "He wants to talk about this rather than his failed record. What North Carolinians want is a Senate candidate and a senator who will focus on their issues... Thom Tillis doesn't want to talk about that."
Meanwhile, Tillis' campaign manager Luke Blanchat hit back at Cunningham saying his "refusal to answer questions makes him unfit for office.' He further stated that North Carolinians deserve a "full explanation" from him on his misconduct.
According to WRAL reports, the Army reserve said on Wednesday, October 7, that it has opened an investigation into Cunningham. Chief of media relations and public information for the Army Reserve Strategic Communications, Simom Flake said in a statement, "The Army Reserve is investigating the matters involving Lt Col James Cunningham. As such, we are unable to provide further details at this time."