Eric Swalwell faced a significant setback in the California gubernatorial race on Sunday. By the following day, he had stepped down from Congress, preempting an investigation into serious sexual assault allegations.
This resignation marks a swift decline for the once-prominent candidate. Swalwell has asserted that the accusations are false and intends to contest them.
Yet, a troubling history seems to shadow the 45-year-old former congressman.
“Fanfan” infiltration — 2012-2015
Christine Fang, a suspected spy for the Chinese government, moved to the U.S. in 2011 as a college student. Over four years, she successfully wooed various local and national politicians, including Swalwell. According to reports, she even placed an intern in Swalwell’s office.
Fang supported Swalwell’s 2014 re-election campaign and engaged with him at numerous events throughout the years, as outlined by current and former U.S. intelligence officials.
“She was on a mission,” a U.S. counterintelligence official noted, adding that her activities were ultimately uncovered by federal authorities, leading to her disappearance in 2015. At that point, Swalwell cut ties with her, maintaining he had no part in any wrongdoing.
Worst presidential election — 2019
Swalwell’s presidential campaign, launched with fanfare on CBS’ Late Show, ended poorly as he failed to even register as a candidate. “We see a country in quicksand, unable to resolve threats from abroad and unable to improve the lives of people at home,” he shared at the time.
However, his attempt garnered less than 1% of potential voters, forcing him to withdraw from the race in July 2019.
Farting on camera in 2019
In a notable blunder, Swalwell seemingly passed gas during a live MSNBC interview. He later denied it, declaring: “It wasn’t me!!!” and suggested he couldn’t hear the host at the time.
The incident briefly became a trending topic on social media.
Sexual assault allegations — 2019, 2024, 2026
Recently, multiple women accused Swalwell, who is married, of serious acts of sexual assault. A former staff member even alleged that he had raped her.
Details surrounding the allegations have emerged, including a claim from one woman who stated she was sexually assaulted in 2024 following a night of heavy drinking, leaving her hurt.
Another woman recounted waking up in a hotel room beside Swalwell after a night out, stating he had made unwanted advances. Additionally, social media influencer Ally Sammarco claimed he sent her explicit messages through Snapchat.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has since initiated a sexual assault investigation against Swalwell in light of these reports.
Illegal Brazilian live-in nanny claim — 2026
Latest indictments suggest that Swalwell and his wife are under scrutiny for allegedly violating immigration laws by employing an undocumented Brazilian nanny.
A complaint lodged with the Department of Labor claims they misled federal authorities about the nanny’s work permit status. Another complaint to Homeland Security alleges Swalwell made illegal campaign payments to her during a time when she lacked a valid work permit.
Skip work — 2025
Swalwell has a troubling record of missing congressional responsibilities. In 2025, he missed 95 votes out of a total of 342 House roll call votes that year, which is considerably higher than representatives like Nancy Pelosi, who missed far fewer votes despite being significantly older and facing health challenges.
Looking for Swalwell — 2026
As he faced mounting legal troubles and criticism on the campaign trail, Swalwell maintained that he resided in California for nearly nine years. However, neighbors in the area asserted they had never met him, raising eyebrows about his claims.
After his close associate, billionaire Stephen Klubeck, publicly distanced himself from Swalwell and stated he would no longer support him, questions about Swalwell’s whereabouts have arisen.
“I no longer support Eric,” Klubeck expressed. “Tell everyone I’m a Libertarian now.”
