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The Talented Mr. Swalwell

Even before the misconduct allegations that precipitated his downfall, Eric Swalwell was an attention-seeking social climber whose professed progressivism may have been his greatest lie of all.

Eric Swalwell
Like many replacement-level politicians in Washington, Swalwell became enamored with his growing fame and the fawning attention that came with it. What else could compel a little-known four-term congressman to shamelessly run for president in 2020 against a bevy of governors and senators? Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
Peter Hamby
April 14, 2026

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Just four days ago, California Rep. Eric Swalwell was a frontrunner in the race to lead his state as governor. As of today, he’s a disgraced former congressman, having relinquished the seat he’s held for over a decade after a second woman accused him of rape. (He’s denied any sexual misconduct.) It’s a remarkably rapid fall for a politician who spent many years looking around for something bigger and better—and not just higher office.