House Dems Urge Swalwell to Pause Gubernatorial Campaign Amid Allegations

House Democratic leaders are calling for Rep. Eric Swalwell from California to halt his campaign for governor, following serious allegations of sexual assault. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, alongside other prominent Democrats, termed the allegations “incredibly disturbing” and insisted on a thorough investigation into the claims.

The remarks follow statements from a woman who once worked for Swalwell, detailing two incidents where she alleges he sexually assaulted her. According to reports from the San Francisco Chronicle, one incident in September 2019 involved the woman waking up in Swalwell’s hotel bed after a night of drinking, with no recollection of events leading up to that moment.

In another incident from April 2024, the woman stated that although she was also intoxicated, she distinctly remembers rejecting Swalwell’s advances and pushing him away. Throughout her time at the Castro Valley Democratic district office, she described multiple troubling interactions, including unwanted messages and attempts at physical contact.

She shared that shortly after being hired, Swalwell allegedly sent inappropriate messages and pursued her romantically, despite the significant age difference. In one alarming account, she recounted an evening where Swalwell allegedly forced her into a sexual act in a parking lot.

About five years later, when the woman attended a benefit gala for Swalwell, she stated they went out for drinks afterward. However, due to her intoxication, she retained only fleeting memories of the night, predominantly the moment she pushed him away and refused his advances.

Additionally, three other women have come forward with claims of varying types of sexual misconduct against Swalwell. One woman mentioned that during a hotel encounter, he allegedly kissed her and touched her inappropriately while she was intoxicated.

The lawmakers concluded their statement by demanding an expedited investigation into these allegations and urging Swalwell to step back from his gubernatorial run. They expressed solidarity with the women who have bravely shared their experiences, emphasizing the seriousness with which such allegations should be treated.

In the wake of these revelations, several Democratic senators and representatives have announced they are withdrawing their support for Swalwell’s campaign. Adam Schiff, one of Swalwell’s previous supporters, expressed his concerns for the woman’s courage in coming forward and stated his decision to withdraw support is immediate.

Likewise, other lawmakers including Ted Lieu and Jared Moskowitz echoed these sentiments, highlighting the severity of the allegations and reaffirming their stance against sexual violence. They stressed that such behaviors are wholly unacceptable, especially from someone in a position of power.