Eric Swalwell Denies Sexual Assault Allegations as Top Democrats Withdraw Support

Representative Eric Swalwell, a U.S. congressman from California and a leading candidate for California governor, faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, including rape, from four women, prompting prominent Democratic allies to withdraw their support and the Manhattan District Attorney's Office to open an investigation. A former staffer who began working in Swalwell's Castro Valley office in 2019 told CNN that Swalwell engaged in non-consensual sexual contact with her on two separate occasions — once in 2019 while she was employed by him, and again in April 2024 at an awards event in New York. In both instances, she said she was too intoxicated to consent. During the 2024 encounter, she told CNN she was pushing him away and saying no, but that he did not stop. Three additional women separately accused Swalwell of sending unsolicited explicit messages and nude photographs. Swalwell denied all allegations, calling them "flat false" and "absolutely false," while also stating they were politically motivated and timed to coincide with the gubernatorial race.

Manhattan DA opens probe as Democrats abandon Swalwell The Manhattan District Attorney's Office confirmed it is investigating the allegations and urged anyone with knowledge of the incidents to contact its Special Victims Division. The San Francisco Chronicle first reported the allegations on Friday, April 10, 2026, after reviewing text messages related to the alleged 2024 assault and speaking with people the woman had confided in. The former staffer told the Chronicle she did not go to police at the time because she feared she would not be believed. CNN subsequently published a broader report featuring the accounts of all four women. Swalwell's page on the ActBlue fundraising platform was removed on Friday, April 10. The political fallout was swift: U.S. Senator Adam Schiff said he was "deeply distressed" by the allegations and called on Swalwell to end his gubernatorial bid. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, through a spokesperson, stated that Swalwell should immediately end his campaign. „The congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay” — Jimmy Gomez via AP News

Pelosi, Newsom weigh in as labor unions suspend endorsements Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who had not endorsed in the race, said the allegations must be properly investigated and suggested that process would be better conducted outside the context of a gubernatorial campaign. California Governor Gavin Newsom, widely regarded as a likely 2028 presidential candidate who had avoided engaging in the contest to replace him, said in a statement that the allegations from multiple sources were deeply troubling and must be taken seriously. Powerful labor organizations, including the California Service Employees International Union and the California Teachers Association, suspended their support for Swalwell's campaign. The California Federation of Labor Unions said it was acting urgently on next steps. Representative Jimmy Gomez, who had served as a campaign chair for Swalwell, rescinded his support. Senator Ruben Gallego and Representative Adam Gray also withdrew their endorsements, according to reporting by BFMTV. Swalwell said on social media he would spend the weekend with family and share an update "very soon," stopping short of announcing a withdrawal from the race. „For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and as a congressman — and I have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and, when necessary, I will take legal action” — Eric Swalwell via AP News

Swalwell apologizes to wife as expulsion votes loom in Congress While denying the assault allegations outright, Swalwell acknowledged in a video posted to social media that he had made unspecified "errors in judgment" and directed his apology to his wife, saying those errors concerned only the two of them. The gubernatorial race to succeed Newsom is a nonpartisan contest in which the top two finishers in the June 2 primary advance to the November general election, regardless of party affiliation. Swalwell had been considered one of the leading contenders to reach that runoff. Separately, House Democrats are preparing to move for the expulsion of Republican Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas, who admitted to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide, calling it a "lapse in judgment." According to two Democratic leadership aides cited by Axios, Democrats plan to respond to any expulsion vote targeting Swalwell by moving in turn against Gonzales, who is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. Gonzales has already dropped his bid for reelection. Axios reported that if both expulsion votes were to succeed, congressional aides warned it could trigger a broader chain reaction within the chamber.

California's gubernatorial race to replace Gavin Newsom, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third consecutive term, attracted a wide field of candidates from multiple parties. Under California's nonpartisan blanket primary system, the top two vote-getters in the June primary advance to the November general election regardless of party. Swalwell, who has represented California in the U.S. House since 2013, had been among the leading Democratic contenders in the race. Mail ballots for the June 2 primary are set to be distributed to voters next month.

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