Former Staffer Alleges Rep. Swalwell Sexually Assaulted Her Twice

A former member of Rep. Eric Swalwell's congressional staff alleged Friday that the East Bay congressman sexually assaulted her twice while she was too intoxicated to consent, an accusation that detonated across California's Democratic gubernatorial primary within hours of publication and stripped Swalwell of support from some of the party's most powerful figures.

The woman, who has not been publicly identified, told the San Francisco Chronicle she was 21 years old and just out of college when she joined Swalwell's district office in 2019, 17 years younger than the congressman. She said Swalwell began pursuing her within weeks of her hiring, invited her for drinks later that year during which she became too intoxicated to remember what happened, and assaulted her a second time in 2024. She also alleged he sent her naked photos over Snapchat during the period she worked for him. She remained in the role for nearly two years, through 2021.

Swalwell, who is married with three children and has positioned himself as a front-runner in the June 2 all-party primary, denied the allegations categorically. "These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor," he said in a statement. "For nearly 20 years, I have served the public as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women."

The denial did little to stem the collapse of his political standing. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi, a fellow Bay Area Democrat and close Swalwell ally, called for him to withdraw from the race, saying the matter "must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability." Sen. Adam Schiff pulled his endorsement outright: "I have read the San Francisco Chronicle's account and I am deeply distressed by its allegations. This woman was brave to come forward, and we should take her story seriously. I am withdrawing my endorsement immediately, and believe that he should withdraw from the race."

SEIU California, which contributed $2 million to a Swalwell-aligned PAC earlier this month, announced it was suspending all campaign activities and expenditures on his behalf. The California Teachers Association said it was "immediately suspending" its support. The California Federation of Labor Unions said it was "shocked" and would convene to determine next steps.

Rivals in the governor's race moved swiftly. San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, also running for the Democratic nomination, posted on X within two hours of the Chronicle's publication: "To the survivor who risked everything to come forward — I believe you. To the Democratic Party — you'd better hold him accountable. If we don't, we have no credibility asking anyone else to do the same." Former Rep. Katie Porter said she stood with "the courageous women who have come forward." State controller Betty Yee went further, calling on Swalwell to resign from Congress entirely. Tom Steyer said the former staffer's account "must be taken seriously."

Swalwell had entered the race in November and climbed near the top of polls, racking up endorsements from labor unions and business groups that are now reversing course just seven weeks before primary voters decide. His campaign had issued a preemptive statement days before the Chronicle published, denying rumors of misconduct that had been circulating on social media, a move that proved unsuccessful in containing the fallout.