Calls mount for Swalwell to resign, drop out of CA governor’s race after sexual assault allegations
Sexual assault allegations have been reported against East Bay Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading contender in California’s gubernatorial race, following a San Francisco Chronicle report detailing accusations by a former congresswoman.
The Chronicle reported Friday that a former congresswoman had accused Swalwell of two separate nonconsensual sexual encounters. The report alleges the interactions took place beginning in 2019, when the woman was 21 and had just been hired to work in the Castro Valley Democratic district office.
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“Swalwell messaged her on Snapchat, she said, sending her images of his genitals and seeking nude photos of her in return,” the newspaper reported.
The former staffer also said that in 2019, Swalwell “tried to kiss her in his car while she was driving him home” during a donor meeting and asked him to perform a sex act, which she said he did.
The woman told the Chronicle that “Swalwell invited her for a drink and she became so badly intoxicated that she doesn’t remember the rest of the night.” She said she woke up naked in a hotel bed with the congressman and thought they had sex.
The Chronicle further reported that five years later, when she no longer worked for Swalwell, the woman said she met him again at a charity event.
Sexual assault allegations have been reported against Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading contender in California’s gubernatorial race, following a San Francisco Chronicle report detailing accusations by a former congresswoman.
“…they met for drinks…” the woman said, “…during which she became so drunk that she only remembers bits and pieces of the night, including pushing Swalwell away and telling him, ‘No,’ when he allegedly forced himself on her.”
ABC7 Eyewitness News has not independently verified the allegations made to the Chronicle.
Swalwell has denied the accusations. On Tuesday, a reporter asked him: “Have you ever behaved inappropriately with female employees?” he replied, “No, no, that’s not true.”
On Friday, Swalwell reiterated his denial in a statement, saying: “These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the favored candidate for governor. For nearly 20 years, I have served the public – as a prosecutor and a member of Congress and have always protected women.
The response to the allegations was swift. Campaign manager Courtni Pugh confirmed to ABC7 Eyewitness News political reporter Monica Madden that she resigned Friday amid the accusations. Los Angeles Congressman Jimmy Gomez, who also worked on the campaign, also resigned, calling the accusations “ugly and serious.”
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Several gubernatorial challengers, including Tony Thurmond, Betty Yee and Matt Mahan, have called on Swalwell to withdraw from the race as the fallout continues to unfold.
Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi also released the following statement in response to the allegations:
“The young woman who made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard. This extremely sensitive matter must be properly investigated, with full transparency and accountability. As I have discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that this is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”
Sen. Alex Padilla spoke with political reporter Josh Haskell on ABC7 in Los Angeles, calling the allegations “beyond disturbing.”
“The allegations, from what I have heard so far, are beyond disturbing and beyond serious,” he said. “First and foremost, survivors of these types of incidents deserve to be heard and treated with dignity and respect. There must be accountability.”
Stay with ABC7 News for the latest details on this developing story.
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