California Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democratic candidate for governor, has robustly denied allegations of sexual assault made against him by a former staff member. The San Francisco Chronicle reported on Friday that the woman claims Swalwell assaulted her on two occasions-once in 2019 and again in 2024-when she was working for him. According to the article, she asserted that both incidents occurred when she was too intoxicated to give consent.
The Chronicle reviewed text messages related to the alleged 2024 incident and spoke to several individuals to corroborate the woman’s account. She expressed reluctance to approach law enforcement, fearing disbelief regarding her claims. Neither her identity nor her account has been independently verified by The Associated Press, and her attorney declined to comment.
In response to the allegations, Swalwell stated, “These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor.” He emphasized his long-standing commitment to public service and the protection of women, vowing to defend himself with factual evidence and considering legal action if necessary. Swalwell’s attorney, Elias Debaie, confirmed that a cease-and-desist letter was sent to the woman, branding the allegations as “baseless.”
The timing of these accusations is notably critical, as they emerged just weeks before the June 2 primary election in California, where mail ballots will soon be distributed to voters. The allegations have already prompted significant repercussions in Swalwell’s campaign; the California Teachers Association announced it was suspending its support, and U.S. Senator Adam Schiff withdrew his endorsement of him. Fellow Democratic congressmen have also urged Swalwell to drop out of the race.
While uncorroborated rumors about Swalwell’s alleged inappropriate behavior with female staff have circulated on social media for some time, the Chronicle’s report marks the first direct accusation. During a campaign event in Sacramento earlier this week, Swalwell insisted he has never had a sexual relationship with a staff member or intern. Following the news, he canceled a planned campaign appearance in Palm Springs, raising questions about the viability of his campaign.
Swalwell is one of several prominent Democrats vying to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom. Competitors like former state controller Betty Yee, state schools superintendent Tony Thurmond, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan have pressured him to withdraw. Notably, two of Swalwell’s top rivals, former U.S. Representative Katie Porter and billionaire activist Tom Steyer, expressed support for the woman who came forward but did not explicitly call for Swalwell to step down.
The fallout from these allegations could have severe implications for Swalwell’s campaign. With potential damage to his fundraising efforts, key endorsements may retract, jeopardizing his ability to run effective campaign ads. Democratic Representative Jimmy Gomez, who previously endorsed Swalwell, announced he would cease his involvement in the campaign and called for Swalwell to exit the race, highlighting a desire for “full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay.”
Originally hailing from Iowa, Swalwell has represented a House district east of San Francisco since 2012. He briefly ran for president in 2019 but ended his campaign after failing to gain traction among voters. He gained national prominence as a House manager in Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial early in 2021. As this situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how it will impact his gubernatorial aspirations and the broader political landscape in California.
Original Source: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/10/eric-swalwell-denies-assault-allegations-governor-race.html
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Publish Date: 2026-04-11 05:30:00
