Representative Eric Swalwell, a leading candidate for California governor, has faced calls to drop out of the race after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.
Several fellow Democrats have dropped their support for Swalwell following the allegations of unwanted advances toward women, including a former staffer who claims she was raped by the congressman.
Swalwell has strongly denied any allegations of sexual assault or misconduct and suggests the claims are politically motivated.
In a video posted to X late Friday, the congressman said, “These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They’re absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened and I will fight them with everything that I have.”
The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that a woman, who said she began working in Swalwell’s Castro Valley office in 2019 at the age of 21, has accused the married politician of sexually assaulting her twice when she was heavily intoxicated.
The woman told the San Francisco Chronicle that Swalwell, who was age 38 at the time, began messaging her on Snapchat. She said he would send photos of his genitals and sought nude photos of her in return.
She also accused him of trying to kiss her in one incident and, in another, of taking out his penis while they were in a parked car and asking for oral sex. After one night out with Swalwell, the woman said, she got blackout drunk and woke up the next morning naked in his hotel bed. She claimed she could feel the effect of vaginal sex.
The woman stopped working for Swalwell in 2021, but in 2024, she attended an awards ceremony in New York, where he was being honored. She said the two met up for drinks after the event and she got so intoxicated that she only remembers flashes of the rest of the night. She alleged Swalwell forced himself on her in a hotel room.
“I woke up once during it and even told him to stop at one point,” the woman wrote to a friend after the incident in a text message reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle.
She told the publication that she had vaginal bleeding and bruises the next morning.
The woman’s attorney, Gerald Singleton, declined to comment, telling The Independent, “I think the victims’ stories speak for themselves and there is nothing I can add.”
Swalwell denied the allegations in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle. “These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” he wrote.
“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,” Swalwell said.
The congressman and his wife have three children.
In the video he posted to X Friday night, Swalwell said, “I have certainly made mistakes in judgement in my past. But those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.”
He ended the video saying, “This weekend I’m going to spend time with my family and friends and I appreciate those who have reached out to me to show support. And I look forward to updating you very soon.”
The Independent has reached out to Swalwell’s team for comment.
CNN reported claims later Friday from a total of four women who have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct from when they were in their twenties. The account of one of the women cited in CNN’s reporting resembles that of the woman who spoke to The Chronicle, but The Independent is not able to verify if they are the same source.
A woman who said she was a former staffer of Swalwell’s said the congressman raped her when she was heavily intoxicated and left her bruised and bleeding.
“I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” the woman told CNN. She said it happened in 2024 after she had stopped working in Swalwell’s office. “He didn’t stop.”
One woman interested in Democratic politics told CNN she started messaging with Swalwell in 2025. He later happened to be coming to her city, and they met for dinner and drinks, according to the report.
She accused Swalwell of touching her leg and then kissing her.
“I was shocked that he would do that right in the middle of a public bar,” she told CNN.
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Two other women told CNN that Swalwell sent them unprompted nude photos and other messages of a sexual nature on Snapchat after connecting with them on social media in 2021.
Swalwell denied the women’s allegations and provided CNN with the same statement cited by The Chronicle. His attorney also sent CNN a letter denying that Swalwell has ever had nonconsensual sex with any woman or ever had sexual relations with any member of his staff.
Swalwell has already lost endorsements from two prominent Democratic senators following the allegations.
“I have read the San Francisco Chronicle’s account and I am deeply distressed by its allegations. This woman was brave to come forward, and we should take her story seriously,” Senator Adam Schiff of California wrote on X. “I am withdrawing my endorsement immediately, and believe that he should withdraw from the race.”
Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona wrote on X, “I’ve read the San Francisco Chronicle’s reporting and I take it seriously. What is described is indefensible. Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed.”
“I am withdrawing my endorsement of Congressman Swalwell, effective immediately,” he added.
House Democrats have also called for Swalwell to end his campaign for governor.
“Following the incredibly disturbing sexual assault accusations against Congressman Eric Swalwell, we call for a swift investigation into these incidents and for the Congressman to immediately end his campaign to be California’s next Governor,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar wrote in a statement.
“This is unacceptable of anyone — certainly not an elected official — and must be taken seriously,” they said. “We commend the courageous women for sharing their experiences. In this and all circumstances, we must ensure that those who come forward with allegations of sexual assault and harassment are heard and respected. All perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment must be held accountable.”
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California also suggested Swalwell drop out, writing in a statement, “The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard.
“This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability. As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”
Several people on Swalwell’s campaign have also withdrawn support over the allegations, including his campaign co-chair, Representative Jimmy Gomez, a California Democrat.
Gomez wrote in a statement, “I cannot in good conscience remain in any role with this campaign, and I am stepping down from it effective immediately. The congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay.”
Swalwell’s other campaign co-chair, Democratic Representative Adam Gray of California, also broke with the congressman, writing on X, “Harassment, abuse, and violence of any sort are unacceptable. Given these serious allegations, I am withdrawing my support and Eric Swalwell should end his campaign immediately.”
The congressman also had endorsements either paused or withdrawn from labor groups SEIU California and the California Teachers Association.
“SEIU CA has suspended our campaign activities and expenditures following extremely troubling allegations of sexual misconduct by Eric Swalwell,” the group wrote on X.
The California Teachers Association wrote on X, “CTA’s democratically elected board has voted unanimously to rescind our endorsement of Representative Eric Swalwell in his campaign for Governor of California.”
California’s primary election will take place on June 2.
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