The race for California governor was thrown into a state of total upheaval this week as a wave of high-profile Democratic leaders pulled their support from Congressman Eric Swalwell following serious allegations of sexual misconduct.
The fallout comes after reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailed a claim of sexual assault by a former staffer, alongside allegations from three other women who say the congressman sent them unsolicited explicit messages and nude photos.
The reaction from the highest levels of the Democratic Party was immediate. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, along with Katherine Clark and Pete Aguilar, issued a joint statement demanding both a formal investigation and Swalwell’s immediate exit from the gubernatorial primary.
The leaders described the accusations as “incredibly disturbing” and stated that such behavior is “unacceptable of anyone — certainly not an elected official.”
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Swalwell, 45, has remained defiant, flatly denying the claims. In a statement and a late-night social media video posted April 10, the congressman insisted the allegations are “absolutely false” and timed specifically to derail his campaign ahead of the California Republican Convention in San Diego.
While he admitted to “mistakes in judgment” regarding his marriage, he maintained his innocence regarding the criminal allegations. “I will defend myself with the facts,” Swalwell said, noting that his legal team has already issued a cease-and-desist letter to the ex-staffer.
Despite these denials, the political damage has been swift. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a powerhouse in California politics, publicly advised Swalwell to step aside. She emphasized that the allegations must be handled with “full transparency and accountability,” suggesting that such an investigation is best conducted outside the pressure of a campaign.
The desertion of his home-state allies continued as Senator Adam Schiff withdrew his endorsement, calling the reports “deeply distressing.” Representative Jimmy Gomez, who served as a co-chair for the Swalwell campaign, resigned his position immediately, calling the accusations “the ugliest imaginable.”
Senator Ruben Gallego of Arizona also rescinded his backing, expressing regret for defending the congressman before the full scope of the claims was known.
Within the crowded field of candidates looking to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, Swalwell’s rivals were quick to weigh in. Democratic opponents Katie Porter, Betty Yee, and Tom Steyer all released statements of solidarity with the accusers, with Yee calling for Swalwell’s resignation from Congress entirely.
The scandal has also provided ammunition for Republican frontrunners Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton. Hilton, who has received the endorsement of President Donald Trump, used the moment to characterize the state’s Democratic leadership as a “corrupt, failing embarrassment.”
With several staff members already resigning and campaign events being canceled, the future of the leading Democratic candidate remains highly uncertain as the June primary approaches.
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