In brief
In a rapid turnaround, Eric Swalwell sees prominent endorsements rescinded after allegations of sexual assault emerge. With a female accuser stating incidents occurred in 2019 and 2024, many Democratic leaders, including Adam Schiff and Nancy Pelosi, urge Swalwell to step down before a critical primary. The backlash raises concerns over Swalwell's viability in the race, with calls for a thorough investigation into the allegations.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a stunning blow to his campaign for governor of California, Rep. Eric Swalwell has seen significant support evaporate following serious allegations of sexual assault. The controversial claims, stating Swalwell assaulted a former staffer twice, first in 2019 and later in 2024, emerged just hours before high-profile endorsements were dropped.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that the unidentified woman claims she did not report the incidents to authorities for fear of not being believed. Swalwell has publicly denied these allegations, asserting they are false and politically motivated as he pursues the gubernatorial seat.
High-profile supporters including U.S. Senator Adam Schiff and powerful labor unions have since called for Swalwell to withdraw from the race, and a significant backlash has arisen amongst his peers in the Democratic Party. Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi emphasized the necessity of an investigation, stressing that such serious allegations require scrutiny beyond the scope of a campaign.
As the race intensifies—with primary ballots going out soon—Senator Ruben Gallego and others within the party have echoed calls for Swalwell’s resignation from the governor’s contest. Unions such as the California Service Employees International Union and the California Teachers Association have responded by suspending their endorsements of his campaign.
Swalwell asserted, For nearly 20 years, I have served the public... and always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. However, the situation poses a risk to his campaign efforts as fundraising may decline dramatically amid these allegations.
As these events unfold, the political landscape in California turns increasingly precarious for Swalwell, whose past attempts to gain traction in national politics included a brief presidential campaign in 2019. The repercussions of this scandal could be severe, not only for his current gubernatorial ambition but also for his long-term political aspirations.
