Candidates react to Eric Swalwell's resignation, new sexual assault claims

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Eric Swalwell's congressional career, like his campaign for governor, is officially over.

His resignation was announced on the House floor Tuesday.

The bombshell allegations against the former Bay Area representative continued in Los Angeles that morning, where former model Lonna Drewes came forward with claims Swalwell drugged and raped her in his hotel room in 2018.

She says the two met socially and were planning to attend a political event.

"I believe he drugged my drink. I only had one glass of wine. He said needed to get paperwork from his hotel room. When I arrived at his hotel room, I was already incapacitated and I couldn't move my arms or my body. He raped me and he choked me," Drewes said.

Drewes is the latest of at least six women to make allegations of sexual misconduct against Swalwell.

But Swalwell's attorney quickly rejected her claims, saying in part the former congressman, "categorically and unequivocally denies each and every allegation of sexual misconduct and assault that has been leveled against him."

Soon after, Governor Gavin Newsom announced an August 18th special election to fill Swalwell's now vacant seat, but only for the remainder of his term.

"There's a lot of Democrats out there who are going to go for this opportunity, but they would need to do so knowing that they're going to turn around and then, you know, run for reelection again in November," said Fresno State political professor Thomas Holyoke.

Swalwell was considered one of the favorites among several Democratic candidates vying for California Governor.

Holyoke believes his absence opens the door for a clear front runner to finally emerge.

"The other Democrats will all be scrambling for the Swalwell supporters, because amongst all the other candidates, no one has really jumped ahead out of the pack, and someone needs to for the June election," Holyoke said.

Tuesday evening many of those candidates were together for the first time since the shake-up, at a forum in the state capitol.

"The candidates need to consolidate around a candidate that doesn't have a scandal," said Democratic candidate Antonio Villaraigosa.

Fellow Democrat and San Jose mayor Matt Mahan also chimed in, saying, "I am the only candidate in this race without significant personal baggage."

Republican front runner Steve Hilton spoke confidently, saying, "We were leading before Eric Swalwell's decision, we were leading the race before President Trump's decision to endorse me, and I'm expecting now our lead to grow."

Because there is no statute of limitations involving rape in California, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has launched an investigation into these latest claims.