Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic contender for governor of California, is facing a wave of calls to exit the race following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct brought forward by a former staff member and several other women.
The controversy centers on a report detailing accusations from a former staffer who alleges that Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions when she was too intoxicated to consent. This development has triggered a legal investigation in Fresh York and caused a rapid collapse of political support for the congressman, as major labor unions and high-ranking Democratic officials distance themselves from his candidacy.
The Manhattan district attorney’s office has confirmed it is investigating a 2024 encounter that a victim alleges took place in a New York City hotel. In a statement obtained by NBC 4, District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s office urged survivors and anyone with knowledge of the allegations to contact the Special Victims Division, emphasizing a trauma-informed and survivor-centered approach to the probe.
Beyond the assault allegations, three other women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including the sending of unsolicited nude photographs via the messaging app Snapchat. These combined claims have left the congressman’s campaign in a state of turmoil just weeks before the June 2 primary, with several staff members resigning and key digital fundraising and endorsement portals being taken offline.
Details of the Allegations and Legal Response
The most severe claims come from a woman who began working in Swalwell’s Castro Valley district office in 2019 at the age of 21. She alleges that the congressman, who is nearly two decades her senior, began sending her nude photos on Snapchat shortly after her hiring. According to reports, she describes an incident in September 2019 where she blacked out after drinking with Swalwell and woke up in his hotel bed, realizing intercourse had occurred.
The woman too alleges a second assault in 2024. After attending a charity event honoring the congressman, she says she met him for drinks and was subsequently forced upon despite saying “no.” She stated that she did not report the incidents to police at the time due to fears of professional repercussions and doubts that she would be believed.
Swalwell has responded by calling accusations of inappropriate behavior “flat [out] false,” though he acknowledged making “mistakes in judgment” in his past. In a video posted to Instagram, he apologized to his wife for the position she has been put in, while maintaining that his personal errors are a private matter between him and his spouse.
Earlier in the week, Swalwell’s legal team attempted to head off the reports. On Thursday, an attorney for the congressman sent a cease-and-desist letter to at least one individual demanding they stop accusing him of sexual assault. Two days prior, Swalwell had publicly denounced online claims of inappropriate relationships with staffers, stating he had never behaved inappropriately with an intern or staff member.
Political Fallout in the Governor’s Race
The timing of these allegations is critical. With ballots expected to arrive in voters’ mailboxes in less than a month, the political infrastructure supporting Swalwell is disintegrating. He was previously tied for first place among Democrats with former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter, holding 13% support in a recent UC Berkeley poll co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times.
The backlash from within his own party has been swift. A coalition of prominent Democrats has called for his immediate withdrawal, including:
- U.S. Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
- Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
- Former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra
- Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter
Labor organizations, which provide essential ground support and funding in California, have also severed ties. The California Teachers Association (CTA) unanimously voted to rescind its endorsement, with President David Goldberg stating that the disturbing allegations “cannot be ignored.” Similarly, the California chapter of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has suspended all campaign activities and spending on Swalwell’s behalf.
While some, such as Governor Gavin Newsom, have stopped short of calling for his resignation, they have acknowledged the severity of the claims. Newsom stated that the allegations from multiple sources are “deeply troubling and must be taken seriously.”
Timeline of Recent Events
| Date/Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Early April 2026 | Online claims of misconduct surface; Swalwell denies them publicly. |
| Thursday, April 9 | Swalwell’s attorney sends cease-and-desist letters to accusers. |
| Friday, April 10 | Reports published detailing sexual assault and misconduct; DA Alvin Bragg announces NYC probe. |
| Friday Evening | Major unions and Democratic leaders call for Swalwell to drop out; fundraising sites removed. |
Broader Context and Contradictions
The allegations present a sharp contrast to Swalwell’s public record as a champion for survivors of sexual violence. In recent months, he praised women who accused the late farmworkers rights leader César Chávez of abuse, tweeting that speaking about such pain “takes real courage.” In 2018, during the Brett Kavanaugh hearings, he argued that when multiple independent women describe similar experiences with one person, the “arrows are pointing in the same directions.”
This crisis follows other legal and political challenges for the congressman. In late March, reports emerged that FBI Director Kash Patel might release documents regarding a decade-old investigation into Swalwell’s ties to a suspected Chinese spy, Christine Fang. While Swalwell was never accused of impropriety in that matter, he has accused the Trump administration of weaponizing the federal government to influence the gubernatorial race.
Swalwell recently dropped a lawsuit against Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, who had previously accused him of mortgage fraud.
Disclaimer: The information provided regarding legal investigations and allegations is for informational purposes. No legal determination of guilt has been made in the ongoing investigations.
The next critical juncture for the campaign will be the June 2 primary. Whether Swalwell remains on the ballot or withdraws depends on the continued pressure from the California Democratic Party and the progress of the Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation. We will continue to monitor the Special Victims Division’s calls for further witnesses.
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