In brief
In a significant twist for his gubernatorial campaign, Rep. Eric Swalwell has seen critical support evaporate following allegations of sexual assault. He has denied the claims, asserting they are fabricated attempts to undermine his political momentum. Prominent Democrats, including Sen. Adam Schiff and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have expressed concern, with many calling for Swalwell to step away from his race for governor. The allegations are reportedly linked to incidents involving a former staff member in 2019 and 2024, raising serious questions about Swalwell's capacity to maintain his campaign amid ongoing scrutiny.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a shocking political turn, Rep. Eric Swalwell's bid for the California governorship has been severely jeopardized after he publicly denied allegations of sexual assault raised against him by a former employee. Following his denial, several prominent supporters including Senator Adam Schiff and major labor unions retracted their endorsements, calling for Swalwell to exit the race.
The allegations, which surfaced in a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, accuse Swalwell of assaulting a woman on two occasions—once in 2019 when she was an employee and again in 2024. The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, stated that she refrained from reporting the incidents to law enforcement due to fear of disbelief. She claims that both assaults occurred when she was too intoxicated to provide consent.
In response to the allegations, which he labeled as false, Swalwell suggested these claims were a politically charged attack aimed at undermining his campaign’s progress ahead of the upcoming primary elections. For nearly 20 years, I have served the public... and have always protected women, Swalwell stated, expressing his intent to defend himself through legal means while focusing on family.
The fallout from these allegations has been immediate. Schiff announced on social media that he was deeply distressed by the accusations and urged Swalwell to cease his gubernatorial campaign. Other prominent figures, including Rep. Jimmy Gomez and various labor unions, echoed calls for Swalwell to step aside, suggesting a need for his conduct to face full scrutiny away from the electoral race.
Despite allegations circulating on social media regarding Swalwell's behavior, the report marks the first instance of someone publicly accusing him directly. The timing of these claims is critical, as California's mail ballots for the primary elections will be distributed in less than a month. The implications for Swalwell's fundraising and campaign strategies could be dire if endorsements continue to decline due to the allegations.
Swalwell, who previously ran for president in 2020 but ultimately withdrew, has been a notable figure in national politics thanks in part to his role in the impeachment hearings against former President Donald Trump. Now, as he navigates these serious allegations, his political future and aspirations for the governorship hang in the balance.
