California Rep. Swalwell denies assault allegations

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democratic candidate for governor, has denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that a woman said Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019 and 2024. The newspaper reviewed text messages about the alleged 2024 assault and spoke to people she told about it. She told the newspaper that she did not go to the police because she was afraid people would not believe her.

The newspaper did not name the woman, and The Associated Press was unable to independently verify her account and identity. His lawyer declined to comment.

The woman worked for Swalwell in 2019 when the first alleged assault took place, and the 2024 assault allegedly took place after a charity gala, the newspaper reported. She said that in both cases she was too drunk to consent to sex.

Swalwell denied the woman’s account and suggested they were part of an attack because of the momentum of his campaign.

“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the favored candidate for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public as a prosecutor and a member of Congress and have always protected women. I will defend myself with facts and, if necessary, pursue legal action. My focus in the coming days will be to stand with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”

The woman received a cease and desist letter from Swalwell’s attorney, the Chronicle reported. Lawyer Elias Debaie confirmed sending at least one letter and called the allegations “baseless.”

The allegations surfaced at a critical time in the campaign to lead the nation’s most populous state. Mail-in ballots are sent to voters less than a month before the June 2 primary election.

On Friday afternoon, the California Teachers Association announced it was suspending its support. Democratic U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff withdrew his support, and a fellow congressman who supported Swalwell urged him to withdraw from the race. Several of Swalwell’s competitors also encouraged him to quit the race.

Uncorroborated and unspecific rumors that Swalwell behaved inappropriately with female employees have been circulating on social media for weeks, but the Chronicle’s story is the first reported account of someone making a direct accusation. At a campaign event Tuesday in Sacramento, he told reporters that he had never had a sexual relationship with a staffer or intern.

Swalwell announced earlier this week a series of campaign events he was planning across the state, but canceled Thursday’s planned event in Palm Springs.

Swalwell is among several high-profile Democrats in the crowded field to replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, and he immediately faced pressure from several Democratic rivals — former state Comptroller Betty Yee, public schools Superintendent Tony Thurmond and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan — to withdraw from the race. Two of Swalwell’s main rivals — former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer — expressed support for the woman who shared her account, but stopped short of calling on Swalwell to end her campaign.

The emerging uproar could prove costly for Swalwell if his fundraising dries up, strangling his ability to run campaign ads, or if unions and other groups that supported his campaign begin to reverse their decisions.

Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who supported and helped run Swalwell’s campaign, said in a social media post that he was immediately ending his role in the campaign.

“The congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction or delay,” Gomez said.

Swalwell, an Iowa native, was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential campaign in April 2019, but called it quits a few months later after failing to convince voters. He is perhaps best known nationally as the House manager during President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial during his first term in early 2021.

___

Associated Press writer Michael R. Blood in Los Angeles contributed to this report.