As the race for California’s governorship intensifies, contenders are sharpening their critiques of Democratic frontrunner Eric Swalwell. This follows recent allegations concerning the congressman’s interactions with younger women associated with his office and campaigns.
Aspirants lagging in the polls see an opportunity in these claims to boost their own profiles. Among them, Antonio Villaraigosa, the former mayor of Los Angeles, has reportedly reached out to media outlets to amplify his criticism of Swalwell.
Villaraigosa, a fellow Democrat, took to social media to accuse Swalwell of evading a CalAsian Chamber of Commerce event to dodge inquiries about the allegations.
“To be a Governor, you must face difficult questions head-on,” Villaraigosa asserted. “He avoided today’s forum to dodge reporters’ questions, just as he’s missed 68% of his congressional votes since declaring his gubernatorial bid.”
In response, Swalwell posted a photo from a Sacramento town hall he conducted on Tuesday. During the event, he addressed reporters, emphasizing, “There has never been an allegation, nor has there been a settlement.”
Meanwhile, other top contenders are also weighing in. Former congresswoman Katie Porter, one of the leading Democratic candidates, has mostly stayed out of the fray, while Swalwell and billionaire Tom Steyer have been more openly critical of each other.
Porter told CNN she was concerned about the claims against Swalwell.
“With regard to Congressman Swalwell, I have seen allegations coming from women staffers. They are very, very troubling allegations,” she said. “It is those women’s stories to tell when they are ready, and I hope that they feel safe and supported if they choose to do so.”
The woman behind the allegations, activist Cheyenne Hunt, was a supporter of Porter, CBS News reported. But the Porter campaign told CBS News that there is no relationship between the two.
Even candidates from the other party have weighed in. Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco called on Swalwell to drop out of the race.
“When you elect people without integrity, without power, and you put them in positions of power, this is what happens,” Bianco said. “Swalwell was only popular because of his hatred of Donald Trump.”
The congressman brushed off Bianco when a reporter asked about the call to drop out.
“I think he’s got some issues with not getting the endorsement (from Trump) that he was so thirsty for, and we’re seeing somebody who wants to be relevant,” Swalwell said.
