For years, Eric Swalwell’s alleged extramarital affairs have been the subject of gossip in California politics. Despite this, as the Bay Area congressman gained prominence in the 2026 gubernatorial race, the stories were largely overlooked.
Some political insiders have referred to these rumors as an “open secret,” but they didn’t seem to hinder the growing support from unions and key political figures who were aligning themselves against President Trump.
Things shifted dramatically for Swalwell last week when several women came forward with serious allegations, including rape and sexual misconduct. In light of these claims, Swalwell suspended his campaign and stepped down from a significant Democratic Party role, facing criminal investigations in New York and Los Angeles.
This has sparked a lot of discussions about how someone could navigate such a dark chapter with backing from numerous political influencers—Swalwell, for his part, denies any wrongdoing.
This situation reflects a familiar reality in California’s political landscape: money often rules. As Democratic consultant Michael Trujillo pointedly remarked, “When you worship the almighty dollar, it’s easy to overlook rape allegations.”
Major players in Newsom’s political circle, like Ace Smith, Sean Clegg, and Juan Rodriguez, were reportedly instrumental in forming an independent committee to support Swalwell, as noted by various sources.
Jim DeVue, another of Newsom’s allies, worked on efforts against progressive billionaire Tom Steyer, who has invested over $100 million in his own gubernatorial run, positioning him as a leading Democratic candidate.
Others in Newsom’s network, including Courtney Pugh and Jason Elliott, were associated with Swalwell’s campaign but distanced themselves as the allegations came to light.
Trujillo criticized everyone who worked on Swalwell’s campaign, suggesting they should feel ashamed of their involvement. “I hope they buy a lot of Pepto-Bismol,” he said.
California Federation of Labor President Lorena Gonzalez expressed regret after confronting Swalwell about the rumors but noted that the allegations never emerged during formal endorsement discussions. “He’s a liar,” she candidly stated.
Democratic insiders agree that there may have been warning signs that were perhaps overlooked. A lack of strong challengers likely played a role in this as well. With former Vice President Kamala Harris opting not to run and other potential candidates like Sen. Alex Padilla seemingly uninterested, there has been pressure to find someone who can unite the party and secure a win.
Political strategist Steve Maviglio mentioned that Newsom’s operatives might have prioritized other candidates if not for the momentum behind Steyer’s campaign, which draws from established political networks.
As of now, many of Newsom’s political allies are reassessing their options, considering figures like former U.S. Secretary of Health Xavier Becerra, while others remain committed to ongoing campaigns by Steyer and former Rep. Katie Porter.
This unfolding drama has caused Democratic leadership to contemplate whether their ambition overshadowed valid concerns. “Everyone was blindfolded,” Maviglio remarked, “because they were looking for the best fighter to stand up to Trump.”
