SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) – In a significant political upheaval, prominent supporters of Representative Eric Swalwell's campaign for California governor withdrew their endorsements on Friday. This decision followed Swalwell’s denial of allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman on two occasions, including during her time as his employee.
Despite the pressure, Swalwell chose not to resign from the race immediately. He communicated on social media that he intended to spend the weekend with family and friends and promised to provide an update "very soon." In his statement, Swalwell asserted, "These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen, they have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have."
Swalwell was initially considered a leading contender among the Democrats vying to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom. However, within just a few hours of the allegations coming to light, he faced backlash from his prominent supporters, including U.S. Senator Adam Schiff and several influential labor unions, who subsequently called for him to withdraw from the gubernatorial race.
Governor Newsom, who is speculated to be a candidate for the 2028 presidential election, expressed his concern regarding the allegations, stating, "As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously."
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who has not publicly endorsed any candidate in the race, labeled the allegations as "serious" and emphasized that they necessitate an investigation. She recommended that any inquiry occur outside the context of Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign.
The allegations surfaced at a crucial juncture in the campaign for California's next governor. Voters are set to receive mail ballots next month in advance of the upcoming election scheduled for June 2. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that a woman alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her in both 2019 and 2024. This woman shared text messages regarding the purported 2024 incident and spoke to individuals she confided in about the events. She expressed fear of not being believed, which deterred her from reporting to the police.
The woman worked for Swalwell during the first alleged assault in 2019, while the 2024 incident reportedly occurred following a charity gala. She claimed that in both instances, she was too intoxicated to give consent. The Chronicle did not reveal the woman's identity, and The Associated Press has been unable to verify her account or identity independently. Her legal representative declined to comment on the matter.
In light of these developments, prominent Democratic figures rapidly distanced themselves from Swalwell. Schiff expressed his distress over the allegations and called for Swalwell to cease his gubernatorial campaign. Representative Jimmy Gomez, who previously played a significant role in Swalwell's campaign, also announced the termination of his involvement, urging Swalwell to exit the race for the sake of accountability without delay.
Influential labor unions, such as the California Service Employees International Union and the California Teachers Association, declared the suspension of their endorsements, while the California Federation of Labor Unions indicated it was moving swiftly to determine future actions. A spokesperson for House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries highlighted the need for a "serious and thorough investigation" into the allegations.
Growing calls for Swalwell to step down have emerged from multiple factions within the Democratic party. Swalwell, noted for his tenure since being elected in 2012 and representing a district east of San Francisco, previously launched a presidential campaign in April 2019 that quickly lost momentum. During this campaign, he became nationally recognized as a House manager in President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial in early 2021.
With a crowded field of candidates in the contentious race, Swalwell faced intense pressure from his rivals to withdraw following the allegations. The Democratic party is contending with a complicated primary season, with leaders expressing concerns that the large number of candidates might jeopardize their chances in the general election. California's unique top-two primary system allows the two candidates with the most votes to advance to the general election, regardless of their party affiliations.
Swalwell had recently commenced a series of campaign events in Sacramento, where he firmly denied engaging in any sexual relationships with staff members or interns. However, he canceled the subsequent event scheduled in Palm Springs as the allegations unfolded.
Unsubstantiated rumors regarding Swalwell's inappropriate behavior with female staff members had circulated for weeks on social media. However, the Chronicle's reporting provided the first direct accusation against him, alongside claims from multiple women alleging that he sent inappropriate sexual messages.
As the situation develops, Swalwell suggested that these allegations might be part of a coordinated effort to undermine his campaign's momentum.
