Gavin Newsom has finally addressed the serious allegations of rape and sexual assault against Eric Swalwell, but he hasn’t asked him to exit the gubernatorial race.
In a statement to the California Post on Sunday, Newsom’s office expressed that the allegations, coming from multiple sources, are troubling and should be taken seriously. However, they didn’t clarify their stance on whether Swalwell should step down from his position or resign from Congress.
Just recently, Swalwell faced accusations from four women, which include claims of sexual misconduct and rape. These allegations detail inappropriate behavior, such as sending unsolicited explicit images and questionable sexual encounters. Swalwell, for his part, has strongly denied these claims.
The moment these allegations came to light, there was a swift reaction from many in the political arena.
Nancy Pelosi, previously the House Speaker and a significant player in California’s political scene, reached out to Swalwell, urging him to resign, while also calling for an investigation into the matter.
Several Democratic candidates for governor have also criticized Swalwell, with many insisting he should step aside. Ian Calderon, a candidate who withdrew from the race to support Swalwell, stated, “Mr. Eric Swalwell must immediately cease his campaign and resign from Congress,” emphasizing the need for leaders who adhere to high standards of integrity.
In light of these developments, several labor unions and advocacy groups are retracting their support for Swalwell, including key figures from Congress who previously backed him, like Rep. Jimmy Gomez.
Swalwell’s position is increasingly precarious, with calls for his ouster growing louder.
Newsom’s brief remarks could stem from his earlier attempts to distance himself from the race. He has refrained from endorsing any candidate, which some experts believe could lead to a divided Democratic vote in an already crowded field.
