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

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Eric Swalwell's legislature career, similar his run for governor, is officially over.

His resignation was announced connected the House level Tuesday.

The bombshell allegations against the erstwhile Bay Area typical continued successful Los Angeles that morning, wherever erstwhile exemplary Lonna Drewes came guardant with claims Swalwell drugged and raped her successful his edifice country successful 2018.

She says the 2 met socially and were readying to be a governmental event.

"I judge helium drugged my drink. I lone had 1 solid of wine... helium said needed to get paperwork from his edifice room... When I arrived astatine his edifice room, I was already incapacitated and I couldn't determination my arms oregon my body. He raped maine and helium choked me," Drewes said.

Drewes is the latest of astatine slightest six women to marque allegations of intersexual misconduct against Swalwell.

But Swalwell's lawyer rapidly rejected her claims, saying successful portion the erstwhile congressman,

"categorically and unequivocally denies each and each allegation of intersexual misconduct and battle that has been leveled against him."

Soon after, Governor Gavin Newsom announced an August 18th peculiar predetermination to capable Swalwell's present vacant seat, but lone for the remainder of his term.

"There's a batch of Democrats retired determination who are going to spell for this opportunity, but they would request to bash truthful knowing that they're going to crook astir and then, you know, tally for reelection again successful November," said Fresno State governmental prof Thomas Holyoke.

Swalwell was considered 1 of the favorites among respective Democratic candidates vying for California Governor.

Holyoke believes his lack opens the doorway for a wide beforehand runner to yet emerge.

"The different Democrats volition each beryllium scrambling for the Swalwell supporters, due to the fact that amongst each the different candidates, nary 1 has truly jumped up retired of the pack, and idiosyncratic needs to for the June election," Holyoke said.

Tuesday evening galore of those candidates were unneurotic for the archetypal clip since the shake-up, astatine a forum successful the authorities capitol.

"The candidates request to consolidate astir a campaigner that doesn't person a scandal," said Democratic campaigner Antonio Villaraigosa.

Fellow Democrat and San Jose politician Matt Mahan besides chimed in, saying, "I americium the lone campaigner successful this contention without important idiosyncratic baggage."

And Republican beforehand runner Steve Hilton spoke confidently, saying, "We were starring earlier Eric Swalwell's decision, we were starring the contention earlier President Trump's determination to endorse me, and I'm expecting present our pb to grow."

Because determination is nary statute of limitations involving rape successful California, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has launched an probe into these latest claims.