Competitors for California’s governorship are ramping up their attacks on leading Democratic candidate Eric Swalwell after claims this week that the congressman had inappropriate conduct with younger women in his office and working on his campaigns.
Lower-polling candidates are hoping to use the allegations to gain traction. One of them, former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, reportedly sought out a media outlet to elaborate on his new attacks against Swalwell.
On social media last night, Villaraigosa, a Democrat, accused Swalwell of ducking an event by the CalAsian Chamber of Commerce to avoid answering questions about the allegations.
“If you want to be Governor, you can’t hide when the questions get tough,” the former mayor said. “He skipped today’s forum to avoid questions from reporters for the same reason he skipped 68% of his votes in Congress since announcing his run for Governor.”
Swalwell responded by sharing a photo of a Sacramento town hall he hosted on Tuesday. He also took questions after that event, where he told reporters that “there has never been an allegation and there has never been a settlement.”
More competitive candidates are also making references. Former congresswoman Katie Porter is one of the three top Democrats in the race but has largely flown under the radar as the other two, Swalwell and billionaire Tom Steyer, have lobbed attacks against 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.
