Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who’s at the moment working for California governor, is denying accusations made by a former staffer to the San Francisco Chronicle that he sexually assaulted her as he faces rising calls from Democrats that he finish his marketing campaign.
“These allegations are false and are available on the eve of an election towards the frontrunner for governor. For practically 20 years, I’ve served the general public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have at all times protected girls,” Swalwell mentioned in a press release.
Following the newspaper’s reporting, a few of Swalwell’s backers have introduced they’re pulling assist for his gubernatorial bid and several other high-profile Democratic leaders have additionally referred to as on Swalwell to finish his marketing campaign.
California gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell listens to a query from the viewers throughout a city corridor assembly in Sacramento, Calif., April 7, 2026.
Wealthy Pedroncelli/AP
The highest three Home Democrats together with Chief Hakeem Jeffries name on Rep. Swalwell to “instantly” drop his bid for governor.
“Following the extremely disturbing sexual assault accusations towards Congressman Eric Swalwell, we name for a swift investigation into these incidents and for the Congressman to right away finish his marketing campaign to be California’s subsequent Governor,” Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar mentioned in a joint assertion launched Friday.
In a press release, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi mentioned: “This extraordinarily delicate matter have to be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability. As I mentioned with Congressman Swalwell, it’s clear that’s greatest carried out exterior of a gubernatorial marketing campaign.”
Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., who chaired Swalwell’s marketing campaign for governor, introduced that he’s stepping down from the marketing campaign and referred to the accusations as “the ugliest and most severe accusations conceivable.”
“I can not in good conscience stay in any position with this marketing campaign, and I’m stepping down from it efficient instantly,” Gomez mentioned. “The congressman ought to depart the race now so there may be full accountability doubtless, distraction, or delay.”
Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who had in latest days defended Swalwell from on-line rumors of misconduct, posted Friday that he was withdrawing his endorsement and mentioned that he “remorse[s] having come to his protection on social media.”
Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., additionally mentioned he’s pulling his endorsement “instantly” and referred to as on Swalwell to withdraw.
The San Francisco Chronicle printed the account of a girl, who stays nameless, who says she was employed on the age of 21 to work as an intern in Swalwell’s district workplace.
She claims Swalwell started pursuing her and despatched her photos of his genitalia. In 2019, she says she went out for drinks with Swalwell and awoke bare the following morning in Swalwell’s resort mattress and “felt the impact of vaginal intercourse,” in accordance with the article.
The girl alleges that 5 years later at a gala in New York, when she was now not working for him, Swalwell pursued her whereas she was inebriated and compelled himself on her, in accordance with the San Francisco Chronicle.
ABC Information has not independently verified these claims.
The congressman added that he’s keen to pursue authorized motion to fight the accusations.
“I’ll defend myself with the info and the place obligatory deliver authorized motion. My focus within the coming days is to be with my spouse and youngsters and defend our a long time of service towards these lies,” Swalwell mentioned.
Within the wake of the Chronicle’s reporting, a number of of Swalwell’s Democratic opponents within the governor’s race, together with San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and former State Controller Betty Yee have additionally referred to as on Swalwell to drop out of the race.
California gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Eric Swalwell seems at a city corridor assembly in Sacramento, Calif., April 7, 2026.
Wealthy Pedroncelli/AP
The 2 frontrunners within the race, billionaire businessman Tom Steyer and former Congresswoman Katie Porter, expressed assist for the alleged sufferer however stopped wanting calling on Swalwell to drop out of the race.
Earlier this week, Swalwell’s marketing campaign instructed ABC Information that Swalwell has not obtained any complaints and has not requested anybody to signal non-disclosure agreements.
“This false, outrageous rumor is being unfold 27 days earlier than an election begins by flailing opponents who’ve sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists as a result of they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner on this race,” marketing campaign spokesperson Micah Beasley mentioned in a press release supplied to ABC Information on Tuesday.
“In 13 years, nobody in Eric Swalwell’s Congressional workplace has ever been requested to signal an NDA. Ever,” Beasley mentioned. “In 13 years, not a single ethics grievance by any workers in his workplace or another workplace has ever been lodged. Ever.”
Home ethics guidelines prohibit sexual relationships between members and interns or staffers however can not examine an incident occurring greater than three phrases of Congress in the past.
