California gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) was facing calls to step out of the competitive race and lost the last of his 21 endorsements from his Democratic congressional colleagues after sexual misconduct and assault allegations surfaced, according to reports on Saturday.
Rep. Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ) rescinded her support for Swalwell, who had been leading the Golden State primary election for Democratic candidates, Axios reported.
“It’s a stunning reversal of political fortunes in just 24 hours. Swalwell was among the frontrunners in the race, but his campaign is in free fall due to allegations of rape, sexual assault and misconduct, which he denies,” according to Axios.
“His page on the Democratic fundraising website ActBlue and the endorsement tab on his website have been pulled down, his ad buys are being pulled back, at least one fundraiser has been scrapped, and he is reportedly hemorrhaging staff,” the outlet reported.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced on Saturday that it launched an investigation into Swalwell after multiple women have accused the gubernatorial candidate of sexual misconduct, and in one instance, sexual assault.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) said she has planned to force a vote to expel him from Congress.
“It’s not just Swalwell’s erstwhile endorsers calling for him to drop out of the race — party leaders are urging him to do so as well. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.) and Democratic caucus chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) said in a joint statement that he should ‘immediately end his campaign,’” Axios reported.
California Democratic Party chair Rusty Hicks shared a similar sentiment.
“My call for all — repeat, all — candidates for Governor to ‘honestly assess the viability of their candidacy and campaign’ still stands. In fact, that call is more important now than ever before,” Hicks said in a statement.
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