When I was communications director to Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, his right-hand man, Rick Jacobs, kissed me on the mouth in front of my staff while we were celebrating a successful city event. Not long after, Jacobs kissed my husband on the mouth in front of me. Jacobs has denied these incidents, but these were just two among numerous accusations of sexual harassment against Jacobs.
We all knew about his behavior, including the mayor, who has denied knowing about it despite multiple reports showing that, for years, he witnessed it, talked about it and did nothing to stop it.
Forgive me, in the light of that experience, if I’m less than impressed by the political reaction to the scandal that has brought Eric Swalwell’s political career to an abrupt end. It’s heartening that women who have alleged he harassed and raped them in the workplace have found the courage to come forward — it’s never an easy decision.
But don’t ask me to applaud Swalwell’s political friends and sponsors for running away from him at full tilt after the latest, most damaging revelations broke, or to applaud Republicans attempting to make political hay out of his downfall. What are they going to do when the next predatory politician comes along? Because there most certainly will be a next one.
This is a preview of Naomi Seligman’s latest column. Read the full column here.
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