Eric Swalwell’s Wife of 9 Years Feels Blindsided by His ‘Double Life’

The political fallout surrounding former California Congressman Eric Swalwell just took another explosive turn — and now the damage appears to be hitting close to home.

According to a source close to the family, Swalwell’s wife of nearly a decade, Brittany Watts, was completely blindsided by the growing wave of sexual assault allegations against the Democrat politician, with insiders claiming she is now trying to protect her children while quietly living apart from him.

“It’s very clear Eric was incredibly strategic at living a double life — he had everyone fooled,” the source told PEOPLE.

The stunning allegations against Swalwell erupted last month when multiple women accused the former congressman of disturbing misconduct ranging from unwanted explicit messages to horrifying claims of drugging, rape and choking. Swalwell has denied all allegations and insists he is innocent.

Still, the scandal has already blown apart his political future.

On April 12, Swalwell abruptly suspended his campaign for governor of California as accusations continued piling up. Just one day later, he resigned from Congress entirely after more than a decade representing California districts in Washington.

Now, attention is shifting toward the crumbling state of his personal life.

Watts, 41, who married Swalwell in 2016, was recently spotted without her wedding ring, fueling speculation that the marriage may be on the verge of collapse. PEOPLE reports the couple are currently living separately, with Watts staying with their three children — Nelson, Cricket and Hank.

The source close to the family painted a picture of a woman struggling to process what allegedly unfolded behind closed doors.

“She had no knowledge of what was happening and is grappling with the same shock, hurt and disbelief that people close to the family are feeling,” the insider said.

Friends reportedly believe Watts is focused almost entirely on shielding her children from the chaos consuming their family.

“She’s been handling this with dignity and discretion,” the source added. “She’s focused on protecting her children and navigating this excruciating situation as best she can.”

The allegations first exploded publicly on April 10 when a former staffer accused Swalwell of sexual assault. Soon after, several additional women came forward with their own claims, including allegations that the Democrat lawmaker manipulated, intimidated and sexually abused women during private encounters.

The controversy gained even more steam after influencer Cheyenne Hunt posted viral videos discussing the accusations, saying dozens of women later contacted her with similar stories involving Swalwell.

One of the most shocking accusations came from a woman named Lonna Drewes, who tearfully claimed during a press conference that Swalwell allegedly spiked her drink at a hotel in 2018 before sexually assaulting her.

“He raped me, and he choked me,” Drewes alleged. “While he was choking me, I lost consciousness, and I thought I died.”

Swalwell has categorically denied the accusations.

In a statement announcing the end of his gubernatorial campaign, he apologized to his family while insisting the allegations against him are false.

“To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” he wrote. “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

Still, critics say the damage may already be irreversible.

Some of the women accusing Swalwell have argued his resignation came only after mounting political pressure and fears he would be expelled from Congress.

Others say they came forward because they feared what could happen if he continued climbing the political ladder.

“As governor, he would have had even more power and more authority,” one accuser said. “He would have felt vindicated too.”

Meanwhile, sources close to Watts reportedly believe she is more than capable of walking away from the scandal-ridden marriage entirely.

“She’s extremely strong, successful and very capable of leaving him,” the insider said.

For now, the once-rising Democrat star appears to be watching both his political career and his family life unravel in public view.