Rumors about Eric Swalwell’s affairs have swirled by California’s political circles for years, however the indiscretions have been largely ignored because the Bay Space congressman surged to the entrance of the 2026 governor’s race.
The whispered affairs — described by some political operatives as an “open secret” — didn’t sluggish the consolidation of institutional help round Swalwell, as giant labor unions and key figures in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s orbit started aligning themselves with the ardent critic of President Trump.
However within the final week, Swalwell’s profession has been decimated, and the governor’s race upended after ladies got here ahead with allegations of rape, sexual assault, and different sexual misconduct. Swalwell went from the highest of the Democratic discipline final Friday to suspending his marketing campaign, resigning from workplace, and changing into the main target of prison investigations in New York and Los Angeles.
A query many at the moment are asking is how somebody may have allegedly led such a sinister life — Swalwell denies any prison exercise — whereas receiving help from so many institutional political gamers.
The reply underscores a well-known sample in California politics: money is king.
“If you worship the almighty greenback, it’s simple to let rape allegations go by the wayside,” stated Michael Trujillo, a Democratic political guide in Los Angeles.
Amongst these in Newsom’s prolonged political community who engaged with or supported Swalwell have been Bearstar Methods companions Ace Smith, Sean Clegg and Juan Rodriguez, whose agency helped launch an unbiased expenditure committee backing him, in keeping with reporting by Politico and the Los Angeles Instances.
One other Newsom ally, Jim DeBoo, led a separate effort focusing on progressive billionaire Tom Steyer, who’s dropped greater than $100 million on the race and is now main the pack amongst Democratic candidates.
Further figures tied to Newsom’s political equipment — together with Courtni Pugh, Lindsey Cobia and Jason Elliott — had various ranges of involvement with Swalwell’s marketing campaign earlier than rapidly distancing themselves as allegations surfaced.
“Everybody who labored on Eric Swalwell’s marketing campaign ought to really feel soiled and disgusted each time they give the impression of being within the mirror,” Trujillo instructed The Publish. “I hope they’re shopping for Pepto Bismol in bulk.”
Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Federation of Labor Unions, instructed the Instances she confronted Swalwell after listening to rumors, however the subject by no means surfaced throughout formal endorsement deliberations.
“He’s a liar,” Gonzalez instructed The Instances. “He’s only a very skillful politician who didn’t inform the reality even when requested instantly.”
Different Democrats have acknowledged that warning indicators could not have been scrutinized as intently as they need to have been.
The political calculus was formed partially by the absence of higher-profile contenders. Former Vice President Kamala Harris was seen as a field-clearing candidate, however she as an alternative selected to sit down out the race. Efforts to recruit figures resembling U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla or state Lawyer Common Rob Bonta additionally stalled, leaving celebration leaders trying to find a candidate who may unify the celebration and win.
Steve Maviglio, a Democratic political strategist, instructed The Publish that Newsom’s political operatives might need gone to Steyer had the billionaire not recruited the marketing campaign workers of lefty New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
“Steyer’s marketing campaign equipment was lifted wholesale from Mamdani, so there was no room for Newsom’s orbit,” Maviglio stated.
“They’re very tied to Sacramento pursuits, and it was pure for them to gravitate to the main candidate on the time.”
A lot of Newsom’s political operatives didn’t reply to The Publish’s requests for remark.
Newsom’s allies at the moment are reevaluating the sphere, in keeping with Politico, with some turning their consideration to former U.S. Well being Secretary Xavier Becerra, whereas others stay aligned with candidates resembling Steyer and former congresswoman Katie Porter.
The final week has left Democratic leaders dealing with uncomfortable questions on whether or not ambition and momentum led them to disregard credible considerations.
“Everyone had blinders on,” Maviglio stated, “as a result of they have been in search of the very best fighter to face as much as Trump.”
