Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has denied a report that emerged Friday afternoon accusing him of sexual misconduct, a story that has been teased for days as the race for California governor heats up.
Swalwell threatened legal action and sent a cease-and-desist letter late Thursday, but it didn’t stop the San Francisco Chronicle from reporting on a former staffer’s complaint. A staffer who spent nearly two years working for Swalwell claimed she had a sexual relationship with him while he was her supervisor, and she accused him of twice assaulting her when she was too intoxicated to give consent.
Multiple requests for comment from the Washington Examiner to Swalwell went unanswered. But in a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, he denied the allegations, calling them politically timed.
Swalwell pointed to his nearly two decades in public service as both a prosecutor and lawmaker, saying he has consistently supported and protected women. He added that he would take legal action if necessary, while focusing on his family.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell said. “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.”
The woman said Swalwell began pursuing her within weeks of her being hired at 21 to work in his district office in Castro Valley in 2019. Swalwell messaged her on Snapchat, sending images of his genitals and seeking nude pictures of her in return, she said.
She also alleged that Swalwell attempted to kiss her while she was driving him home from a donor event. Weeks later, during another car ride to an event, he allegedly exposed himself and asked her to perform a sexual act.
The woman also described an encounter in September 2019, when she said Swalwell invited her out for drinks. She claimed she became heavily intoxicated and had little memory of what followed, later waking up unclothed in his hotel room and believing sexual activity had taken place. She said their interactions grew distant afterward and eventually ended.
The woman’s allegations follow the news of at least four people abruptly resigning from the Democratic congressman’s gubernatorial campaign, including Courtni Pugh, Swalwell’s top liaison to organized labor groups.
Swalwell’s campaign was beginning to gather steam in the crowded 10-person gubernatorial primary. The 45-year-old has emerged as both a top contender and a top target in the race as intensifying attacks from rivals highlight not only his rising profile, but also the vulnerabilities that could derail his bid.
In recent weeks, opponents have taken aim at him on multiple fronts, criticizing his attendance record in Congress, questioning where he lives, and accusing him of being too sympathetic to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Negative attention has also been fueled by renewed scrutiny tied to a decade-old investigation regarding his association with a suspected Chinese spy, as well as his private AI company.
Former Rep. Katie Porter, one of Swalwell’s closest Democratic rivals in the governor’s race, called the sexual harassment claims against him “troubling” when they surfaced earlier this week.
“I have seen allegations coming from women staffers,” Porter said on CNN. “They are very, very troubling allegations. It’s those women’s stories to tell when they are ready, and I hope they feel safe and supported if they choose to do so.”
On the Republican side, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told conservative commentator Benny Johnson that Swalwell “should probably just drop out and save his family.”
“I think in California, Swalwell was only popular because of his hatred for President Trump,” Bianco said on Johnson’s podcast. “He’s not going to survive this.”
Swalwell has consistently polled near the top of the Democratic field in a primary that includes eight Democrats and two Republicans competing to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). Under California’s jungle primary system, the top two finishers in the June 2 election, regardless of party, advance to the general election in November.
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Newsom, who is term-limited, is widely expected to run for president in 2028. On Sunday, President Donald Trump endorsed Republican Steve Hilton in the race.
A new poll by Binder Research shows Hilton pulling 22% of the vote, with Swalwell in second at 18%.