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U.S. Rep. Eric Swwell — a member of Congress from the Bay Area and one of the leading candidates for governor of California — suspended his campaign on Sundayafter allegations surfaced last week that he sexually assaulted a former congressional staffer, CalMatters’ Jeanne Kuang reports.
- Swawell, in a social media post: “To my family, staff, friends and supporters, I am deeply sorry for the errors of judgment I have made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made – but this is my fight, not a campaign’s.”
His decision to end his bid came days after reports from CNN and on San Francisco Chronicle alleges that Swalwell engaged in sexual misconduct with a handful of women, including a former employee who said Swalwell raped her. CNN’s report included text messages the employee sent to friends soon after the alleged 2024 incident in which she wrote that Swawell assaulted her. Swawell called these accusations “absolutely false.”
The reports prompted several Democratic members of Congress and influential labor groups, such as the California Federation of Labor Unions and the California Association of Teachers, to withdraw their support. At least four of his campaign staff also resigned.
At the Democratic Party’s annual convention in California in February, Swawell won the largest share of the vote, 24%, among delegates, although it was not enough to secure the party’s official endorsement. In recent weeks, before the allegations surfaced, Swawell was in a three-way tie with former congresswoman Katie Porter and billionaire investor Tom Steyer as the Democratic front-runner.
Swawell’s departure could lead to rallying more support from voters around Porter, Steyer or another Democrat.
Some House members from both parties and his fellow opponents also urge Swalwell to resigned from Congressas Republican Anna Paulina Luna of Florida said Saturday she plans to do so submit a request for exclusion.
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Other stories you should know
CA GOP fails to endorse gubernatorial candidate
And Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco failed to garner enough votes by his fellow Republicans to win the California GOP’s official endorsement for governor, CalMatters’ Maya S. Miller writes.
The state’s Republican Party wrapped up its annual convention over the weekend in San Diego, following President Donald Trump Hilton endorsementpolitical strategist and former Fox News anchor. On Sunday, 44 percent of delegates voted for Hilton, while 49 percent voted for Riverside County Sheriff Bianco — not enough to meet the party’s 60 percent approval requirement.
More on the GOP convention: With a month to go before ballots are sent out for the June primary, California Republicans are optimistic that some GOP lawmakers can wins re-election to Congress — despite voters approving Proposition 50, which redraws congressional maps in favor of Democrats.
The tension, observed by Nadia Lathan of CalMatters, is how much to refer to Trump in these down-ballot races. State party officials tried to distance the party from Trump. But convention delegates remained visibly supportive of the president.
The Abuse Litigation Bill aims to protect LGBTQ youth
The state Senate Judiciary Committee introduced a bill last week that aims to bypassed a recent US Supreme Court ruling maintaining conversion therapy, reports Kristen Huang of CalMatters.
The bill would give more time for someone to file a medical malpractice lawsuit against a mental health professional for trying to change their sexual orientation or gender and harming them in the process. Depending on the age of the person making the claim, the bill would increase the statute of limitations from three years to 22 years.
Sen. Scott WienerDemocrat from San Francisco, introduced the bill after the Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in March that a Colorado law banning conversion therapy violated therapists’ free speech rights.
Groups opposing Wiener’s bill include California Baptists for Biblical Values, the California Family Council and other groups that have historically opposed state efforts to protect LGBTQ youth.
salmon season in California; Salton Sea Defense
Let’s dive into some environmental news:
- Salmon season: California is expected to reopen its commercial salmon fishing season. But after three straight years of canceled seasons that have devastated the industry, the rules are getting tougher. California regulators plan to impose strict fishing dates and catch limits. State and federal decisions related to California’s water systems could also change the barely stabilized salmon fishing industry. Read more by Rachel Becker of CalMatters.
- Salton Sea: Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced the state’s first new conservation in more than 15 years. The Nature Conservancy Board is tasked with directing state resources to manage habitat and improve air quality in Southern California’s Salton Sea. Airborne toxic dust has been linked to asthma and other health problems in nearby communities. Read more by Deborah Brennan of CalMatters.
California voices
Two perspectives on Los Angeles County’s $4 billion settlement related to thousands of sexual abuse claims at county-run juvenile facilities and foster homes:
Instead of confronting the county’s failures as a result of the settlement, politicians want legislation to deny some survivors the right to seek civil compensation for the harm they suffered as children, writes Chantel Johnsondirect attorney at the Center for Youth Law.
Potentially false statements related to the agreement should prompt the state to audit the settlement process, and the Legislature should hold oversight hearings to examine how that settlement was negotiated and approved, Curtis Chambers and Regina Torres Jr. write.presidents respectively of the Los Angeles Deputy Probation Officers Union and the Union of Supervising Deputy Probation Officers.
Other things worth your time:
CA representative Khanna faces a technology-backed challenger like Silicon Valley Support Fractures // The Mercury News
Trump fires entire board of SF Presidio Trustall biden appointees // San Francisco Chronicle
States including CA are learning the wrong lesson from “Mississippi Miracle” // Atlantica
Meta, Oracle and Qualcomm share CA cutoff details // Los Angeles Times
UTLA reaches preliminary agreement with LAUSD, one step closer to preventing a strike // EdSource
Why city officials are warning that the Olympics could bankrupt LA // LAist
Los Angeles County cities weigh in the data center question in the face of the AI leap // Los Angeles Daily News
Doubts deepen about the capability of the San Diego warships for mine clearance from the Strait of Hormuz // San Diego Union Tribune
