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Tri-Valley Democrat Eric Swalwell is on the defensive and the future of his gubernatorial campaign is in doubt, following the release of a bombshell San Francisco Chronicle article Friday that reported sexual assault allegations by a former staffer.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell (D-Livermore) wrote in a statement after the article’s publication.
“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,” he added.
The accusations include having sexual encounters with the unnamed former staffer while she worked for him and assaulting her while she was under the influence of alcohol on two occasions.
CNN released its own report Friday after the Chronicle, revealing similar accusations against Swalwell from three other women, including allegedly sending them unsolicited explicit messages or nude images.
While Swalwell maintains his innocence, key figures within his campaign, competitors in the governor’s race, and organizations that endorsed him began issuing statements Friday denouncing the alleged behaviors and withdrawing their support for the campaign.
His now ex-campaign chair, U.S. Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles), resigned from the role Friday and called on Swalwell to drop out of the race.
“My involvement in any campaign begins and ends with trust,” Gomez wrote in a statement posted to social media. “I cannot in good conscience remain in any role with this campaign, and I am stepping down from it effective immediately.”
He continued, “The congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction or delay.”
A handful of other unnamed staffers also purportedly resigned Friday.
Additionally, the California Teachers Association suspended their endorsement for Swalwell, calling the allegations “incredibly disturbing and unacceptable.”
“We are immediately suspending our support. Our elected board will be meeting as soon as possible to follow our union’s democratic process to determine next steps,” the labor union wrote in its statement.
Two of Swalwell’s Democratic opponents for governor, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond and former state controller Betty Yee both called for Swalwell to exit the governor’s race and to resign from Congress.
“The accusations outlined against @ericswalwell are sickening. He needs to withdraw from the governor’s race and resign from Congress immediately. Let the women speak,” Yee wrote on X, sharing a link to the Chronicle article.
Thurmond made a video addressing the public where he shared his disdain for the alleged actions of Swalwell and voiced support for women. Accompanying the nearly two-minute clip, he wrote, “After these horrible allegations, it’s time for Eric Swalwell to drop out of the Governor’s race and Congressman Eric Swalwell needs to resign from Congress.”
Although Friday saw explosive reactions, the release of the Chronicle article is not the first time the topic of assault came up for Swalwell. Earlier in the same week, social media rumors swirled about alleged misconduct but at that time an accuser had not yet publicly come forward.
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