Longtime Republican strategist Mike Madrid suggested the Democratic Party take a long look at reevaluating the race for governor in California after four different women accused one of the leading candidates, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), of sexual assault and misconduct on Friday.
“I think the Democratic Party really is having this come-to-Jesus moment where it needs to have a very robust discussion between as many candidates as possible to figure out what it is, what it stands for and who’s going to be the standard bearer,” he said on CNN’s “Laura Coates Live.”
Madrid is a co-founder of The Lincoln Project, a group of Republicans formed in 2019 to oppose President Donald Trump. He said Democrats should have “a bigger discussion” after Friday’s allegations to decide which candidate they want “to start driving California forward.”
Host Laura Coates, a former prosecutor, noted Swalwell has been “steadfast” in denying the accusations and that people are presumed innocent until proven guilty. However, she also said the court of public opinion can have “a very different take” and impact Swalwell’s continuing bid for governor.
Swalwell, who is married with three children and was among the Democratic frontrunners to replace outgoing California Gov. Gavin Newsom, denied the allegations in a social media video Friday, calling them “absolutely false” and apologizing to his wife and supporters.
