Newsom Fundraises Off Swalwell Vacancy While Ignoring Rape Allegations

Clear Facts

• Former Rep. Eric Swalwell resigned amid rape accusations and is under investigation by the Justice Department, Manhattan DA, and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department
• Gov. Gavin Newsom sent a fundraising email hours after Swalwell’s resignation, making no mention of the serious allegations against the Democrat
• Critics note Newsom scheduled special elections months later for Republican vacancies, revealing a clear partisan double standard

California Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom sent a fundraising email shortly after former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-CA) resignation amid sexual misconduct allegations, including rape accusations. Rather than addressing the disturbing nature of the allegations, Newsom used the vacancy to urge donors to help Democrats quickly reclaim the seat.

“With a very slim Republican majority in Congress, I was not going to give Mike Johnson even a single extra day before filling this seat,” Newsom wrote in the email sent by his Campaign for Democracy PAC.

Swalwell stepped down Tuesday as multiple investigations were launched into the allegations. He is now under investigation by the Justice Department, the Manhattan District Attorney, and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. No charges have been filed against the Democrat, but the disturbing claims led to his resignation from Congress and exit from the California governor’s race.

At a Tuesday press conference, model Lonna Drewes accused Swalwell of raping her during an alleged 2018 encounter.

“He raped me, and he choked me. And while he was choking me, I lost consciousness,” Drewes said. “And I thought I died. I did not consent to any sexual activity.”

At least one other woman has claimed that Swalwell raped her. Others alleged that the Democrat sent them inappropriate messages over Snapchat.

Despite the nature of the allegations, Newsom’s email did not address them directly. Instead, he focused exclusively on the political stakes of the vacancy and the narrow Republican majority in the House. The message concluded with a fundraising appeal from Newsom’s political action committee, asking recipients to donate $35.

Newsom has said the special election, scheduled for August 18, is the earliest date allowed under state law. Republicans have challenged this claim, pointing to a pattern of double standards.

The timing has drawn sharp criticism from Republicans, who argue Newsom has not applied the same urgency in similar situations involving Republican vacancies. Newsom scheduled a special election for the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa’s (R-CA) right-leaning seat months after his death earlier this year. In another case, the seat of former Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) remained vacant for nearly a year following his 2020 resignation.

“It’s another example of how Gavin Newsom, he doesn’t care about stripping people of their voice and their representation as long as it politically benefits him,” state Assemblyman Carl DeMaio (R-CA) told The Daily Wire.

Republicans currently hold a narrow 218-213 majority in the House, raising the stakes for quickly filling vacant seats. The contrast between Newsom’s rapid response to a Democratic vacancy and his slower approach to Republican vacancies has not gone unnoticed.

The Daily Wire reached out to Newsom’s PAC and office for comment but did not receive a response.

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