Trump-backed candidate eyes opening as Swalwell battles sexual assault allegations in California

Steve Hilton, a Trump-backed candidate for California governor, said Sunday he expects Rep. Eric Swalwell to drop out of the race, as the Democrat faces mounting sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women, including one charging rape.

“We’re hearing that he is going to be dropping out,” Mr. Hilton said on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures.” “That’s not confirmed yet, but that’s what’s coming into me from the Democrats, who are sick of this guy because he is embarrassing them.”

Mr. Swalwell has denied the allegations and remained in the race, as of Sunday afternoon.

Mr. Hilton, fresh off a Trump endorsement last week, also accused Sen. Adam Schiff and California’s labor unions of having known about the allegations before they became public.

“They all knew about this,” the conservative commentator said. “This has been an open secret ever since he got into the campaign. They didn’t care.”

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that a former Swalwell staffer alleged the married congressman sexually assaulted her on two occasions. CNN separately reported allegations from four women, one of whom said Mr. Swalwell raped her; three others alleged he had acted inappropriately and sent them unsolicited nude photos.

Mr. Swalwell flatly denied all allegations: “These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They’re absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have.”

Shortly after the allegations emerged, several Swalwell campaign staff members quit.

What’s more, Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray stepped down as campaign co-chairs, the California Teachers Association revoked its endorsement, and Sens. Schiff and Ruben Gallego withdrew their support.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi also called on Mr. Swalwell to end his campaign.

If Mr. Swalwell leaves the race, his departure could benefit former Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer, both Democrats, in the June 2 jungle primary, in which the two highest vote-getters — regardless of party affiliation — face off in November’s general election.

Mr. Hilton said the turmoil does not change the fundamental dynamic of the race — that it cuts against whichever Democrat ultimately emerges.

“It doesn’t matter who the Democrats send to run against me, frankly, because this state is sick of how they are mismanaging California,” he said, citing what he called the highest poverty, unemployment and cost of living in the nation after 16 years of one-party rule.

Polls have shown Mr. Hilton, buoyed by Mr. Trump’s endorsement and a much shorter list of intra-party rivals, is well-positioned to claim one of the top two primary spots.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, the other prominent Republican in the race, is also running strong.

Mr. Hilton cast himself as a vehicle for economic relief in California, centering his pitch on a pledge to bring gasoline to $3 by opening state oil and gas production and on what he called a “Cal Affordable” platform to reduce taxes and regulations.

He also highlighted Mr. Trump’s endorsement as validation that a Republican could compete statewide. “I think I will be the next Governor of California,” he said.