Is all well with Rep. Eric Swalwell, who, at least as of two days ago, was the frontrunning Democrat candidate for Governor of California?
Well, that depends. If you are rooting for Swalwell to win, the answer appears to be a decisive “no”. But if you are rooting for him to lose – and maybe even be forced to drop out of politics altogether (no loss if you ask me), the answer is a resounding “yes”.
Here’s why, via the following excerpts from Melanie Mason and Jeremy B. White’s article (one of many on this subject that are out there today) at politico.com:
Swalwell campaign imploding after new sexual assault allegation
Rep. Eric Swalwell’s campaign for governor was reeling Friday after two news reports detailed accusations of sexual assault and misconduct, with multiple staffers resigning and both prominent allies and rival candidates calling on the California Democrat to exit the race.
The exodus, which began just before the San Francisco Chronicle published a report detailing a former staffer’s claims, jolted California’s marquee race just weeks before ballots start landing in voters’ mailboxes. The former staffer told the newspaper that Swalwell had sexual encounters with her while working for him, and that he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too drunk to consent.
Hours later, CNN reported on that ex-staffer and three additional women who accused Swalwell of making sexual advances and sending explicit photos and messages. And POLITICO reported that a former Swalwell employee had signed an agreement over an employment discrimination claim that included confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses, despite his campaign saying no one on his staff signed an NDA during his tenure.
The dominoes tumbled quickly. Top staffers departed the campaign shortly before the Chronicle story published. Major endorsers began rescinding or pausing their support. And a pro-Swalwell independent expenditure committee said it was suspending operations.
Swalwell’s two campaign co-chairs, Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray, called on Swalwell to drop out — a stunning rebuke from key surrogates who had helped introduce Swalwell to power players in Sacramento, where both served in the state Assembly.
And if that isn’t enough for you, read John Hinderaker’s commentary at powerlineblog.com, which cites additional people and organizations – people and organizations that make a difference in Democrat politics – also dumping Swalwell.
Over the years, we have seen politician after politician try to deflect away from what appeared to be terminally damning news about their behavior. The fact that Swalwell is, at least as of this moment, claiming the charges are all BS and he’ll fight to the end does not surprise me.
But look at that list of people – campaign workers, elected officials, etc. – running from him at 100 miles per hour. And look at the usually Democrat-supporting media which are having no problem reporting on it.
Frankly, I do not see how Eric Swalwell can possibly continue his run for Governor.
Moreover, if he drops out and seeks to hold his current seat in congress, I would expect that any reasonably decent Democrat-left alternative would probably take him out in the primary as well.
In other words, there is an excellent chance that Eric Swalwell’s political career is over.
Five days ago I wrote a blog titled “IS ERIC SWALWELL’S GUBERNATORIAL CAMPAIGN (AND CAREER) GOING DOWN THE TUBES?”. In that blog, I characterized Swalwell as “an obnoxious, repulsive safe-seat Democrat congressperson from California”
I think we may have our answer.
Personally, I wouldn’t miss him. Not one little bit.
