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Eric Swalwell’s downfall, explained
The accusations that forced out the frontrunner in California’s governor race — and could push him from Congress next.
Benjy Sarlin is a senior editor for politics, policy, and ideas at Vox.
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) suspended his campaign for California governor on Sunday after a series of disturbing accusations of sexual misconduct. The scandal had drawn a fierce response from Democrats nationwide as they tried to force him out and keep the fallout contained.
Just days ago, Swalwell was one of the frontrunners in a crowded primary field to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom — a job with immense political and policy clout, and a potentially star-making role in American politics. Instead, Swalwell now finds himself almost completely isolated, with some Democrats even calling for his expulsion from Congress.
Who is Eric Swalwell?
The 45-year-old is a politically generic Democrat whose takedowns of Trump on cable news and social media made him popular in Resistance circles. You might also remember his extremely short-lived presidential run in the 2020 cycle.
What exactly are the allegations?
The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Friday that an unnamed former staffer alleged that the married Swalwell pursued her for an affair after she was hired at age 21, including by sending lewd photos via Snapchat. Their relationship became physical, but she said he went on to sexually assault her on two occasions in which she was too drunk to consent. CNN ran its own story the same day, which included the staffer’s account, along with three additional women who described unsolicited sexual advances by the Congress member, including one who said he took her to his hotel room while she was intoxicated.
What has Swalwell said?
He has called the accusations “flat false,” denied any nonconsensual behavior, and said that the allegations “come on the eve of an election where I’ve been the frontrunner candidate for governor,” implying that they’re politically motivated. However, he also acknowledged unspecified “mistakes in judgment” that he says “are between me and my wife.” In announcing his departure from the race, he repeated that he had made “mistakes,” but said that he planned to “fight the serious, false allegations that have been made.”
How have Democrats responded?
By stampeding away from his candidacy. Soon after the allegations were reported, Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), a close friend who had chaired Swalwell’s presidential campaign and may have similar ambitions of his own, withdrew his endorsement along with many other supporters. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on him to drop out. Major labor groups backing his candidacy also withdrew their support.
What happens in the governor’s race now?
Swalwell was the nominal frontrunner in a race where no candidate has caught fire. The next-in-line candidate in a weak Democratic field is Tom Steyer, a Democratic megadonor and fellow 2020 presidential also-ran whose self-funded campaign has so far narrowly outpolled rivals like former Rep. Katie Porter, former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, among others.
California’s June 2 race is a “jungle primary” where candidates from all parties run at once and the top two advance. There had been some concern among Democrats that two Republican candidates might take both slots, leaving Democrats locked out of the general election, but Swalwell’s implosion could help Democrats consolidate their vote, while Trump’s recent endorsement of former Fox News host Steve Hilton likely will do the same on the Republican side.
And before you ask: Yes, it’s too late for Kamala Harris to swoop in.
What about Swalwell’s job in Congress?
Republicans are threatening to call a vote on his expulsion from the House. This could lead Democrats to call for expulsion votes of their own against Reps. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) and Cory Mills (R-FL) over their respective scandals, which could in turn also lead to an expulsion vote for Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), who faces corruption charges. The votes likely won’t succeed, as expulsion requires a two-thirds majority. But Axios reports that at least some Democrats and Republicans have indicated they would cross party lines and vote to expel multiple members, so there could be more bipartisan consensus than you might expect.
