Accusation of sexual assault threatens Swalwell governor bid

For weeks, dirty talk had been swirling around campaign circles, ricocheting through email chains and served like a fancy side dish at gossipy lunches from Sacramento to San Diego.

The conversation revolved around Eric Swalwell, a 45-year-old congressman from the East Bay and a leading Democratic candidate for governor of California. The rumors included allegations of inappropriate behavior by junior employees.

Pressured by rival camps, pursued by political press corps, the allegations were largely confined to unexamined corners of the internet until this week, when Swalwell’s campaign – knowing the whispers were growing louder – issued a press release denying any wrongdoing.

This move was a preliminary preparation. Strategists thought it would be better to get ahead of the rumors and respond to online insinuations, even if it meant exposing the allegations to a much wider audience. The campaign’s statement was followed hours later by a categorical denial from the congressman.

“This is wrong,” Swalwell told reporters in Sacramento on Tuesday night. He said he never acted inappropriately towards female staff or had sexual intercourse with any staff member or intern. He said there are no quiet legal solutions. No hiding behind confidentiality agreements.

Later Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle published a long report — full of extremely specific and striking details — is an excerpt from a woman who worked for Swalwell for almost two years, stating that she had a sexual relationship with him while he was her boss. She twice claimed he sexually assaulted her because she was too drunk to consent.

The woman, who is 17 years Swalwell’s junior, said the congressman began pursuing her a few weeks after the 21-year-old was hired to work in his district office in the East Bay Area. This was in 2019.

The woman said she largely kept quiet about Swalwell’s behavior out of fear of personal and professional consequences. He told the Chronicle he didn’t share his account with authorities because he was afraid they wouldn’t believe him. The newspaper said medical records showed the woman took pregnancy and STD tests a week after one of the alleged attacks.

Swalwell issued another categorical denial.

“These allegations are false and emerge on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor,” he said in a statement, slightly exaggerating his position in the neck-and-neck race for governor. “I have served the public as a prosecutor and congressman for nearly 20 years, and I have always protected women.

“I will defend myself with the facts and take legal action when necessary,” Swalwell said. “My focus in the coming days will be on being there for my wife and children and defending our decades of service against these lies.”

Even before the Chronicle published its article, you could almost hear the sound of a dam bursting when privately circulated rumors suddenly surfaced. Swalwell’s rivals quickly stepped up the bets, trying to gain an advantage in a stubbornly deadlocked race.

“It’s very, very disturbing,” said fellow Democrat Katie Porter. “Extremely disturbing,” echoed Betty Yee, another Democratic candidate.

The third Democrat entering the race, Antonio Villaraigosa, was more creative, accusing Swalwell of “leaving town” — he did not attend a candidate forum in Sacramento on Wednesday — “as more and more women are coming forward with allegations of sexual harassment.”

At this point, no one with firsthand knowledge disputed Swalwell’s denial of wrongdoing.

But with Friday’s article in the Chronicle, opponents stepped up their attacks. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan and state schools superintendent Tony Thurmond called on Swalwell to drop out of the race.

Democratic Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, one of Swalwell’s most high-profile supporters, withdrew his support and expressed regret for defending Swalwell on social media before the Chronicle’s account. Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez of Los Angeles also withdrew his support and urged Swalwell to abandon his candidacy.

Behind closed doors, other major Swalwell supporters were reconsidering their support.

It’s understandable and probably necessary for the congressman to retreat to spend time with his wife and family, as he suggested.

But in light of the Chronicle’s report and its damning allegations, he will have to do more than issue strongly worded statements or threaten legal action if he has any hope of salvaging his gubernatorial candidacy and political career. (Swalwell gave up his congressional seat to run for governor.)

If the allegations are false, it needs to clearly, unequivocally refute every detail. If these are true, then what might Swalwell be thinking; to not only coerce the alleged victim, but to run for governor knowing what he was doing? Was he convinced that his behavior would never be exposed? Did he believe that strict denials would allow him to arrogantly continue on his way?

Swalwell has a lot to do about his behavior, disclaimers, and judgments.

He has little time to do so, even though the June primaries are still weeks away.