Swalwell's Exit Shakes Up Chaotic Race 04/14 06:10

   

   LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell's abrupt exit from the 
race for California governor -- then his announcement he would leave Congress 
-- left his rivals scrambling to lock down his former supporters in a crowded 
contest with no clear leader, injecting more turmoil into the campaign to lead 
the nation's most populous state.

   Swalwell's decision to suspend his campaign Sunday followed allegations that 
he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, that 
were published Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. While 
pulling out of the race he remained defiant in a post on the social platform X, 
saying, "I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made -- but 
that's my fight, not a campaign's."

   On Monday, he posted a statement on X, saying he planned to resign from 
Congress but did not provide a date for his departure. He wrote it was unfair 
for his constituents to have him distracted from his duties.

   For rival candidates in a wide-open race, the key issue is where Swalwell's 
supporters will go. He was among the most prominent Democrats in the contest, 
with mail ballots scheduled to go to voters in early May in advance of the June 
2 primary election. Most of the well-known candidates are expected to appear on 
stage together Tuesday during a forum in Sacramento.

   Katie Porter, one of the leading Democrats, posted a line from a San 
Francisco Chronicle column on X, "Democrats can pull victory from the jaws of 
defeat by coalescing around Porter." Billionaire hedge fund 
manager-turned-liberal activist Tom Steyer said he secured the support of a 
handful of lawmakers, including Rep. Jared Huffman, a Democrat whose coastal 
district runs north of San Francisco, not far from Swalwell's home turf. 
Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles mayor, pitched a new ad promising 
to lower gas and grocery costs in a state known for its punishing cost of 
living.

   With seven established Democrats and two leading Republicans on a primary 
ballot with more than 50 candidates, the race remains fluid. While Swalwell has 
suspended his campaign, his name cannot be removed from the ballot.

   "Nobody has really caught fire," said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta, 
who is not involved in the campaign. Swalwell's supporters "will scatter out to 
other candidates."

   Shifting alliances with Swalwell's departure

   In Sacramento, a handful of state lawmakers quickly switched their support 
from Swalwell to Steyer. Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz said he 
believes Steyer will put in the work to form strong relationships with the 
legislature. Steyer's business background -- he has never held public office -- 
means he'll challenge the status quo, Schultz added.

   Democratic Assemblymember Corey Jackson -- who also shifted to Steyer -- 
said he wanted to back a candidate who had a legitimate chance of winning. He 
said in a statement that he and Steyer shared a "commitment to building an 
economy rooted in dignity for working people."

   San Jose's Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan, running for governor in his first 
statewide election, sought to distinguish his record from Steyer and another 
leading candidate, Republican Steve Hilton, who hosted a show on Fox News for 
six years and has Trump's endorsement.

   With Swalwell out, "now we have a field that's got a billionaire who made 
his fortune investing in private prisons, ICE facilities, oil and gas companies 
... and a MAGA-backed TV commentator on the other hand," Mahan said on MS NOW's 
"Morning Joe."

   "California deserves so much better," Mahan said.

   Many voters remain distant from governor's race

   Swalwell is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President 
Donald Trump's second impeachment trial during his first term in early 2021. 
But in a media environment dominated by Trump, the race remains distant from 
many California voters.

   After the publicity about sexual misconduct allegations, "I think there are 
probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom 
Steyer position paper," Acosta added.

   Swalwell was considered a leading contender along with Steyer and Porter and 
two Republicans, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and Hilton. But 
Republican activists haven't rallied around Hilton, despite Trump's support; at 
a California Republican Party convention over the weekend the party declined to 
endorse a candidate in the race.

   Democrats have feared the party's large number of candidates could lead to 
them getting shut out of the general election in November. That's because 
California has a primary system in which only the top two vote-getters advance 
to the general election, regardless of party.

   Swalwell had become a clear target for his Democratic rivals as he began to 
lock up institutional support. Some had seized on rumors of sexual misconduct 
that circulated on social media for weeks before the Chronicle's report.

   The San Francisco Chronicle spoke to a woman who alleged Swalwell sexually 
assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024. The woman 
said she did not go to police at the time of the assaults because she was 
afraid she would not be believed. In both cases the woman said she was too 
intoxicated to consent to sex. CNN reported on allegations that appeared to 
come from the same woman, and spoke to several other women who accused Swalwell 
of other sexual misconduct.

   Neither outlet named the woman, and The Associated Press has not been able 
to independently verify her account and identity. Her lawyer declined to 
comment.

   The alleged 2024 incident occurred in New York, and the Manhattan District 
Attorney's Office said it's investigating. That office urged anyone with 
knowledge to contact its special victims division. The Alameda County District 
Attorney's office, which covers Swalwell's California district, said no one has 
reached out to the office with allegations against Swalwell.

   House colleagues call for Swalwell to resign

   Swalwell's swift downfall came amid rising pressure for him to leave 
Congress. He earlier lost the support of powerful labor unions that had backed 
his candidacy, along with one-time allies like California U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff 
and Rep. Jimmy Gomez.

   Some representatives had said they would support the rare step of expelling 
him from the U.S. House should he refuse to step aside. The House Ethics 
Committee opened an investigation Monday.

   Swalwell, who is originally from Iowa, was elected in 2012 and represents a 
House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 
2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters.