Dems race to distance themselves from Swalwell amid allegations of rape, assault

The mounting accusations of sexual misconduct against Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) have sparked a reckoning of sorts among his Democratic colleagues on Capitol Hill, who are now racing to distance themselves from a figure who went, in the course of one weekend, from rising political star to toxic poster boy of #MeToo infamy.

Swalwell had risen to great prominence during his 13 years in Congress, winning a spot in Democratic leadership, helping his party steer the second impeachment of President Trump and forging a close alliance with former Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), the pioneering power broker who helped to nurture his ascent.

Along the way, Swalwell launched a run at the White House and, more recently, was a leading contender to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) in Sacramento. Democrats lined up to endorse his campaign.

But that was last week.

Faced with explosive accusations of sexual assault and other improprieties with young women who are not his wife — allegations aired in a series of blistering reports published by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN on Friday — Swalwell dropped out of the gubernatorial race and announced his resignation from Congress, all within a 24-hour span.

Swalwell has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. But his stunning implosion has sent shock waves through the Capitol, where Democrats — who are hoping to use an anti-corruption message against Trump and Republicans in November’s midterms — are taking pains to detach themselves from the gregarious lawmaker many have known for years. 

Some are going out of their way to deny any direct knowledge of Swalwell’s alleged philandering, let alone the possibility that he might have assaulted staffers or anyone else. But they’re also sending a clear message that they believe the women who are coming forward, not Swalwell’s claims of innocence.

“This man lived a double life. He lied to us. He lied to his family. He lied to his constituents,” Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) told reporters Tuesday in the Capitol. “I was manipulated, I was lied to, and........

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