Swalwell’s Gubernatorial Campaign Hits Major Setback
Democrat Representative Eric Swalwell encountered a significant setback in his gubernatorial campaign on Friday as two co-chairs and several prominent supporters withdrew their backing, following sexual assault allegations that emerged in the San Francisco Chronicle.
A former staff member has accused Swalwell of sexually assaulting her on two separate occasions—once in 2019 and again in 2024—asserting that she couldn’t consent due to intoxication at the time.
In response, Swalwell issued a statement later that evening, firmly denying the allegations.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” he stated, underlining his long record of public service. “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, when necessary, pursue 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.”
Earlier on Thursday, Swalwell’s attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to the accuser, characterizing her claims as “false statements” and warning of possible legal repercussions if the accusations were not retracted.
However, soon after the Chronicle published its initial report, the campaign began to fragment, with multiple allies rescinding their endorsements and calling for Swalwell to withdraw from the gubernatorial race.
Representative Ted Lieu (D-Calif.) expressed his decision on X, saying, “In light of the recent allegations against Representative Eric Swalwell, I am withdrawing my endorsement of his campaign for Governor.”
Representative Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) also stepped down as co-chair, stating on X that Swalwell should “leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction or delay.”
The fallout was swift, with Swalwell losing another co-chair, Adam Gray (D-Calif.), who publicly called for the congressman to exit the race. The political pressure around Swalwell intensified as several well-known allies, including Senators Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), withdrew their endorsements. Gallego notably condemned the allegations as “indefensible.”
Major organizations, including the California Medical Association and the California Teachers Association, also announced they were retracting their support, adding to the crisis’s magnitude.
Things escalated further when CNN confirmed and expanded upon the Chronicle’s report, revealing allegations from four additional women citing various instances of sexual misconduct. Swalwell has categorically denied these new allegations as well.
Cheyenne Hunt, a former California congressional candidate now leading “Gen-Z for Change,” mentioned on X that she has been engaging with numerous women planning to come forward with their experiences of harassment and alleged abuse linked to Swalwell.
The loss of co-chairs Gray and Gomez, along with notable withdrawals of support from high-profile figures like Senators Schiff and Padilla, signals a definite move by the Democratic establishment to distance itself from Swalwell. In a predominantly blue state like California, analysts suggest this loss of key support makes sustaining a viable statewide campaign nearly impossible.
