SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell is pushing back against sexual assault accusations while his California gubernatorial campaign faces mounting pressure from political allies demanding his withdrawal from the race.
According to reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday, an unnamed woman has accused Swalwell of sexually assaulting her on two separate occasions in 2019 and 2024. The publication examined text message evidence related to the more recent alleged incident and interviewed individuals who said the woman had confided in them about the assaults.
The accuser claims the first incident happened in 2019 while she was employed by Swalwell’s office, and the second occurred following a charitable fundraising event last year. She told the Chronicle that alcohol impairment prevented her from giving consent in both situations. The woman explained her decision not to contact law enforcement stemmed from concerns about credibility.
Neither The Associated Press nor other outlets have independently confirmed the woman’s identity or allegations. Her legal representative has refused to provide comment on the matter.
Swalwell has categorically rejected the accusations, characterizing them as a coordinated effort to derail his campaign’s progress.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
The congressman’s legal team has responded by sending cease-and-desist correspondence to the accuser. Attorney Elias Debaie acknowledged dispatching at least one such letter while dismissing the claims as “baseless.”
The controversy has erupted during a pivotal moment in California’s gubernatorial contest, with mail-in ballots scheduled for distribution within weeks ahead of the June 2 primary vote.
Political fallout began immediately Friday afternoon when the California Teachers Association announced the suspension of its endorsement. Democratic Senator Adam Schiff rescinded his support, while Representative Jimmy Gomez, who had been helping manage Swalwell’s campaign, declared his immediate departure from the effort.
“The congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay,” Gomez stated on social media.
Multiple gubernatorial competitors have joined calls for Swalwell’s exit, including former state controller Betty Yee, education superintendent Tony Thurmond, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. However, two prominent rivals — former Representative Katie Porter and environmental activist Tom Steyer — offered support for the accuser while stopping short of demanding Swalwell’s withdrawal.
Unsubstantiated speculation about inappropriate conduct with female staff members had circulated on social media platforms for weeks, but the Chronicle’s report represents the first documented allegation with specific details. During a Sacramento campaign appearance Tuesday, Swalwell told reporters he had never engaged in sexual relationships with staff or interns.
The congressman was forced to cancel a Thursday campaign event in Palm Springs, despite having announced a series of statewide appearances earlier in the week.
The scandal threatens to cripple Swalwell’s fundraising capabilities and could prompt additional endorsing organizations to reverse their support, potentially ending his viability in the crowded Democratic primary field seeking to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom.
Swalwell, an Iowa native who won his House seat in 2012 representing districts east of San Francisco, briefly pursued the presidency in 2019 before ending that campaign due to limited voter interest. He gained national recognition serving as a House manager during former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment proceedings in early 2021.
