Eric Swalwell’s campaign for governor of California suffered a significant setback on Friday after multiple staffers resigned and prominent political supporters withdrew their backing in response to new allegations of past sexual misconduct.
The developments came after reports in the San Francisco Chronicle and on CNN. The Chronicle published an account from a woman who said Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions.
The allegations prompted fresh scrutiny of the Democratic candidate and triggered an immediate political fallout. Allies of the governor contender moved to distance themselves as the story spread, while the resignations added to the pressure on the campaign.
Swalwell, a Democrat, is running in California’s gubernatorial race. The allegations are the latest in a series of claims that have drawn attention to his past conduct and created a new crisis for his campaign.
The reports and the reaction they sparked dominated Friday’s political discussion in California, where the campaign now faces questions about both the allegations and the stability of its team.
