Democrats Withdraw Support As Eric Swalwell Faces Sexual Assault Allegations
Key Takeaways
- Prominent Democrats urged Swalwell to drop out of the governor race.
- Allies withdrew endorsements and fundraising support after the allegations.
- Swalwell denied the accusations, vowing to defend himself with the facts.
Swalwell Sexual Assault Allegations
California Rep. Eric Swalwell faced a political crisis as a former staffer accused him of sexually assaulting her twice.
Swalwell denied the allegations, calling them flat false and saying they came on the eve of an election where he was the frontrunner.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and two California senators withdrew their endorsements and called on Swalwell to drop out.
Campaign co-chairs Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray resigned.
The California Teachers Association also suspended its support.
The Chronicle reported the woman was hired at 21, and the alleged assaults occurred in 2019 and 2024.
Political Fallout and Resignations
Rep. Jimmy Gomez said the allegations were the ugliest and most serious accusations imaginable.
Multiple other staffers quit the campaign.
The California Federation of Labor Unions said it was acting urgently to determine next steps.
Swalwell's Democratic rivals called on him to drop out.
The top two vote-getters in the June 2 primary will advance regardless of party.
The controversy erupted just weeks before voters begin casting ballots.
Swalwell's Denial and Video Response
Swalwell released a video statement denying the allegations.
He acknowledged making mistakes in judgment but said those were between him and his wife.
He promised to fight the allegations with everything he had.
The Chronicle reported that Swalwell's attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to the accuser.
The political damage was compounded by reports from three other women.
The allegations included unwanted kissing and touching.
Democratic Leadership Response
Pelosi said the matter must be investigated with full transparency and accountability.
It is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.
House Minority Leader Jeffries called for a swift investigation and the end of the campaign.
Rep. Ro Khanna called for both a law-enforcement investigation and an Ethics Committee probe.
House Democrats had insisted on letting an Ethics Committee investigation play out.
The situation presented a predicament for House Democrats.
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