Eric Swalwell faces sexual assault accusations as he runs for California governor

California, US,UPDATED: Apr 11, 2026 15:00 IST

Democrat Eric Swalwell's campaign to succeed Gavin Newsom as Governor of California has run into trouble after multiple women levelled allegations of sexual misconduct against him. Swalwell has denied the allegations, but there are growing calls for him to withdraw from the race.

The Democrat leader's election campaign began to unravel after a former staffer told CNN that he had raped her in 2024 when she was heavily intoxicated.

"I was pushing him off of me, saying no. He didn’t stop," she told the US broadcaster on Friday. She also alleged that Swalwell had non-consensual sexual contact with her after a night of heavy drinking in 2019, when she was a part of his team.

Three other women, too, revealed several instances of sexual misconduct by the Congressman. While one woman accused him of kissing and touching her leg without her consent at a bar, another woman recalled receiving unsolicited nude messages from Swalwell.

SWALWELL DEFENDS HIMSELF

The 45-year-old legislator from California denied the allegations, calling them false. He also questioned the timing of these allegations, noting that they came amid his election campaign.

In a statement to CNN, he 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."

Later, in a video statement, Swalwell apologised to his wife for making several "errors of judgement" in the past while defending himself.

"I am not a saint. I have made several errors of judgement in the past. But that's between me and my wife. I apologise to her for putting her in such a position," he said in the video posted on 'X'.

Hear it directly from me. These allegations are flat false. And I will fight them. pic.twitter.com/bQSlCquD1U— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 11, 2026

ATTORNEY DENIES CHARGES AGAINST SWALWELL

An attorney for Swalwell denied his client ever had a sexual relationship with any member of his staff.

His legal team also sent letters to two women who spoke to the US broadcaster, calling their accounts “false” and ordering them to retract their statements or face legal action.

The letters argued the women’s claims were “undermined” by their “voluntary and cooperative relationship” with Swalwell for years after the alleged incidents, including requests for job references.

His attorney also sent a letter to CNN denying that Swalwell ever had sexual relations with any member of his staff.

TOP DEMOCRATS WANT SWALWELL TO QUIT

Meanwhile, several senior Democratic leaders urged him to end his campaign to succeed Newsom. California’s lieutenant governor, Eleni Kounalakis, as well as former Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi publicly asked Swalwell to quit the race.

Moreover, several members of his campaign team resigned after the allegation surfaced on CNN. Congressman Jimmy Gomez resigned as the head of the campaign committee and called on Swalwell to drop out.

"I cannot, in good conscience, remain in any role in this campaign. The Congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay," Gomez's statement added.

Newsom, who is widely expected to run for president in 2028, called the allegations from multiple women "deeply troubling" but did not call for Swalwell to drop out of the race to replace him.

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