Senior staff of California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell on Saturday condemned allegations of sexual misconduct against the Democratic congressman as “abhorrent” hours after the Manhattan district attorney’s office confirmed it is investigating a sexual assault accusation of a former staff member.
The latest fallout for his cratering campaign followed media reports Friday of alleged sexual assault and misconduct by Swalwell against multiple women.
The San Francisco Chronicle reportedthat a former employee in Swalwell’s congressional office accused him of sexual assault. Hours later, CNN reported that three other women had alleged other types of sexual misconduct by him. Both outlets appear to have included the account of an unnamed woman who said that Swalwell forcibly had sex with her in his New York City hotel room after they went out for drinks in April 2024.
The Washington Post has not been able to independently confirm the allegations against Swalwell, who is among the candidates leading in some polls of the crowded gubernatorial race. He has vehemently denied allegations of sexual assault and suggested they were politically motivated.
In an extraordinary joint statement issued Saturday, Swalwell’s senior campaign and congressional staff wrote that they were “horrified” by the allegations.
“We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too,” the statement said. “The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians.”
The staff said that “any decision of staff members to remain in their roles in the interim should not be viewed as support for Eric Swalwell,” adding that “not everyone … can immediately forfeit their income and benefits without significant personal risk or consequence.”
In a separate statement in response to the alleged incident involving a staffer in New York, a spokesperson for the Manhattan district attorney urged “survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations” to contact its Special Victims Division.
“Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators, and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner,” the statement said.
The allegations against Swalwell this week prompted uproar among Democratic allies, prompting many lawmakers to withdraw their endorsements for Swalwell in the governor’s race and call on him to suspend his campaign. House Democratic leaders, in a joint statement, called for a “swift investigation” into assault allegations against Swalwell and urged him to end his gubernatorial bid.
In a direct-to-camera video postedto social media Friday night, Swalwell said the sexual assault allegations against him are “false” and vowed to fight them.
“I do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or that I am a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past,” he added. “But those mistakes are between me and my wife.”
Swalwell attorney Elias Dabaie did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the investigation in Manhattan. But he told CNN late Friday that “the congressman categorically denies any misconduct took place.”
Dabaie said that the congressman “takes accountability for potential lapses in judgment” but that he “questioned the timing of these allegations, 25 days out from an election.”
He said some of the women had reached out to Swalwell since the alleged misconduct, “wishing him nothing but the best, supporting his campaign … asking for references for jobs. So from my perspective, looking at the facts, I do have to question the credibility of these allegations.”
Asked why Swalwell was not speaking publicly about the allegations, Dabaie said, “He has a campaign to run. He’s busy.”
The reports of sexual assault and misconduct triggered immediate fallout for Swalwell’s campaign.
Reps. Jimmy Gomez (D-California) and Adam Gray (D-California), the chair and co-chair of Swalwell’s campaign, respectively, said they were stepping down from their roles. Sens. Adam Schiff (D-California) and Ruben Gallego (D-Arizona) also withdrew their endorsements.
A spokesperson for Californians for a Fighter, an outside group supporting Swalwell’s run for governor, confirmed the organization is immediately suspending operations “in light of serious allegations.”
Democratic lawmakers have largely declined to call on Swalwell to resign from the House, where he represents a Bay Area district in a House closely divided between Republicans and Democrats.
On Saturday, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Florida) wroteon X that she plans to file a motion to expel Swalwell from Congress, setting the chamber up for a potential fight when it reconvenes next week.
Swalwell has given no indication that he intends to exit the governor’s race or step down from his congressional seat. In his video posted online Friday night, he said he would spend time with his family and friends over the weekend and provide an update “very soon.”
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