California Gubernatorial Race Heats Up with Swalwell Allegations

This week, the California gubernatorial race has taken a dramatic turn, with competitors ramping up their criticism of Democratic frontrunner Eric Swalwell. They’ve leveled accusations regarding his conduct with young women in both his office and on the campaign trail.

Some candidates, who aren’t faring well in polls, seem eager to leverage these allegations to gain traction. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is one such candidate, reportedly reaching out to media to amplify his attack on Swalwell.

Villaraigosa used social media last night to accuse Swalwell of dodging questions regarding the allegations by skipping a CalAsia Chamber of Commerce event. “If you want to be governor, you can’t hide when the questions get tough,” he posted. He also pointed out Swalwell’s absence from a recent forum to avoid difficult questions, suggesting it reflected on the congressman’s voting record—having missed 68% of votes since announcing his candidacy.

In response, Swalwell posted a photo from an event he hosted at Sacramento City Hall earlier this week. He defended himself by stating, “There was never a complaint, and there was never a settlement,” when reporters probed about the accusations.

As the race continues, former Representative Katie Porter, another leading Democrat, has expressed concern over the allegations directed at Swalwell. “With respect to Congressman Swalwell, we have seen allegations from female staffers. Those are very disturbing allegations,” she remarked. Porter emphasized the importance of women feeling safe and supported when sharing their experiences.

The activist Cheyenne Hunt, who is behind the allegations, reportedly supported Porter previously. However, Porter’s camp clarified that there’s no active connection between them, as reported by CBS News.

Candidates from outside the Democratic party are also weighing in. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco has publicly urged Swalwell to withdraw from the race, saying, “This is what happens when you elect people with no integrity or authority.” He implied that Swalwell’s initial popularity stemmed largely from his criticism of Donald Trump.

When a reporter brought up Bianco’s withdrawal advice, Swalwell dismissed it, suggesting Bianco is struggling without the backing he needs, particularly from Trump supporters. “We’re meeting with people who want to be involved,” Swalwell stated.