House Democrats Urge Swalwell to Quit California Governor Race Amid Assault Claims

Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for California governor, faces multiple sexual misconduct allegations from four women, including a former aide who accused him of sexual assault when she was too intoxicated to consent. The allegations, detailed by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN, include claims of nonconsensual sex, unwanted sexual advances, and unsolicited explicit images. Swalwell has denied all accusations, calling them “flat false” and threatening legal action.

The former aide, who worked for Swalwell from 2019 to 2021, told the Chronicle that in September 2019, after drinks with Swalwell, she woke up naked in his hotel room with no memory of the night but felt the effects of intercourse. She also alleged a second assault in April 2024 after a charity gala, where she said she became intoxicated, told Swalwell “no,” but was forced into sex. The Chronicle reviewed text messages she sent to a friend describing the assault and spoke with her then-boyfriend, who confirmed she reported the incident to him. Medical records showed she sought pregnancy and STD tests afterward.

CNN reported additional allegations from three other women: one said Swalwell kissed her without consent and she later found herself in his hotel room with no memory of how she got there; another, Democratic influencer Ally Sammarco, said Swalwell sent unsolicited photos of his penis; and a fourth woman said he sent unsolicited videos. CNN corroborated these accounts through interviews and message reviews, while NBC News has not independently verified the claims.

Swalwell responded in a social media video, stating, “These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They did not happen, they have never happened. And I will fight them with everything I have.” He acknowledged making past mistakes in judgment but said those were private matters with his wife, to whom he apologized for the position the allegations have put her in. Swalwell also emphasized his focus on defending his family and his decades of public service.

The allegations have prompted swift political fallout. House Democratic leaders, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, called for a “swift investigation” and urged Swalwell to immediately end his gubernatorial campaign, though they stopped short of calling for his resignation from Congress. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi described the matter as “extremely sensitive” and said it should be investigated outside the campaign.

Several prominent Democrats have withdrawn support. Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray resigned as co-chairs of Swalwell’s campaign and called on him to drop out. Gomez described the accusations as “shocking” and “the ugliest and most serious accusations imaginable.” Senators Ruben Gallego and Alex Padilla, as well as Representatives Ted Lieu and Robert Garcia, also rescinded endorsements and urged Swalwell to step aside for a transparent investigation. Gallego said, “Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed.”

The California Teachers Association suspended its endorsement, calling the allegations “incredibly disturbing and unacceptable,” and the California Federation of Labor Unions said it was urgently reviewing its support. Swalwell’s campaign ads on Facebook and Instagram were deactivated following the reports.

Swalwell, 45, has served in Congress since 2013 and was a 2020 presidential candidate. He has been a vocal critic of former President Donald Trump and was named one of the Democrats’ impeachment prosecutors after the January 6 Capitol riot. His past association with a suspected Chinese spy led to his removal from the House Intelligence Committee in 2023, though no ethics violations were found.

Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert announced plans to introduce a privileged resolution to censure Swalwell for alleged sexual harassment of women in his office, which would require a House floor vote within two legislative days. The California primary for governor is scheduled for June 2, with early voting beginning May 4.