Governance and Allegations: Hobbs Responds to Gallego’s Defense
On Sunday, Arizona’s Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs sidestepped questions about Senator Ruben Gallego’s comments regarding allegations against Eric Swalwell, a former Democratic Representative from California.
Gallego, a close associate of Swalwell, claimed he was unaware of the misconduct allegations against Swalwell, despite their longstanding friendship. During an interview with NBC 12 News in Phoenix, reporter Brahm Reznik pressed Hobbs on whether she believed Gallego’s assertion of ignorance concerning Swalwell’s alleged predatory behavior.
“Do you accept Sen. Gallego’s explanation regarding his lack of knowledge about Mr. Swalwell’s alleged predatory conduct?” Reznik questioned.
“Well, those are questions for the senator to address,” Hobbs replied. “As someone who has devoted much of my career to helping victims of domestic violence, I take any allegations of sexual assault very seriously. It’s essential that the responsible parties face full accountability under the law.”
Hobbs continued to deflect the question, suggesting that it was up to the voters to determine the validity of Gallego’s claims. “I don’t think it’s my place to accept that. It’s a question for the voters, and those inquiries should really go back to the senators,” she stated.
“So you’re not going to answer that question,” Reznik remarked.
“I support the survivors and would welcome any accountability,” Hobbs added.
Swalwell recently resigned from Congress and withdrew from his gubernatorial campaign following serious sexual assault allegations. A former staff member of Swalwell alleged that in April 2024, she woke up to find him, intoxicated, on top of her in a hotel room. Another accuser, Democratic influencer Allie Sammarco, claimed that Swalwell sent her unsolicited explicit images.
A reporter later asked Gallego about his lack of knowledge regarding these allegations, especially given that Swalwell had chaired his unsuccessful 2020 presidential campaign. “This man was living a double life. He deceived us, his family, and the voters,” Gallego replied. “These individuals hold significant power in our country, yet he was trusted with roles that you’d think someone like him couldn’t manage. I felt manipulated and misled, just as everyone else did.”
Gallego also mentioned he would be willing to release any texts or materials exchanged with Swalwell if required via subpoena.
