Commentary: There's a wide gap between rumor and fact. That's where Eric Swalwell lurked

"The implosion of Eric Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign and his once-promising political career has left a great many questions rising from the smoldering wreckage. Questions about his character, judgment and staggering recklessness."

"The veil was finally pierced last week when the San Francisco Chronicle published a graphic account of a woman alleging sexual encounters with Swalwell while the Democratic lawmaker was her boss. She said he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent."

"Swalwell, 45 and married, had a widely whispered about reputation for showering inappropriate and unwelcome attention on younger women. Rumors - vague, unsubstantiated - were a source of incessant dirt-dishing among political insiders and also circulated extensively online."

Eric Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign ended due to allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims of sexual assault from multiple women. Despite long-standing rumors about his behavior, substantial evidence took time to emerge. The allegations have prompted scrutiny of his character and judgment, as well as questions about why victims did not come forward sooner. Swalwell, who has denied the accusations, had a reputation for inappropriate attention towards younger women, which had circulated among political insiders and online.

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