Gavin Newsom curiously says little on Eric Swalwell sex assault scandal

Gavin Newsom may have the biggest microphone in California politics, but the governor has been noticeably meek in commenting on the horrifying sexual assault scandal involving Rep.Eric Swalwell — who until last week was the leading Democrat to succeed Newsom in office.Swalwell suspended his campaign Sunday and submitted his immediate resignation from Congress on Tuesday following reports by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailing allegations from several women that included harassment, sexual assault and rape.The governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday, just hours after another woman publicly stepped forward to accuse Swalwell of drugging, choking and raping her.Newsom’s lone statement on the disturbing allegations against Swalwell came Sunday, hours before Swalwell ended his campaign.“As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously,” said Newsom, who has not endorsed anyone in the governor’s race.In an interview last month, Newsom continued to duck commenting on the state of the race to succeed him as governor. “You know my position,” he said.

“I don’t talk about this governor’s race.”A crowded field of Democrats — even without Swalwell in the race — has potentially set the stage for two Republicans, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, to emerge from the primary election in June.Progressive billionaire Tom Steyer and former congresswoman Katie Porter are now the leading Democrats in the race.A Democratic political consultant, who spoke to The Post on the condition of anonymity, told The Post that Newsom’s muted response to the Swalwell saga was likely done to serve the governor’s own political interests.“I assume that Gavin Newsom is doing what’s best for a presidential race right now, and engaging in this mess probably does not accrue to a presidential race,” the source said.Among t...