California political insiders have been accused of ignoring rumors about Congressman Eric Swalwell's affairs, which have been circulating in California's political circles for years, but were largely ignored as he rose to the front of the 2026 governor's race. Despite these scandals, large labor unions and key figures in Gov. Gavin Newsom's orbit, including key figures within Newsom’s orbit, began aligning themselves with Swallwell as he ran for the top spot in the Democratic field. This support came after allegations of rape, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct surfaced, leading to his suspension, resignation, and criminal investigations in New York and Los Angeles. Many are now questioning how someone could have allegedly led a life like this while receiving support from so many institutional political players. Michael Trujillo, a Democratic political consultant in Los Angeles, said those who worked on Swalw's campaign should feel dirty and disgusted. Other Democrats acknowledged that warning signs may not have been scrutinized as closely as they should have been.