Former Aide Alleges Rep. Swalwell Twice Sexually Assaulted Her, He Denies

A woman who worked as an aide in Rep. Eric Swalwell's Castro Valley district office has alleged that the California congressman sexually assaulted her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent: once while she was still his employee, and again nearly five years after leaving his staff. Swalwell, who is married and currently the front-runner in California's 2026 gubernatorial race, denied all allegations and called them politically motivated.

The accuser, who has not been publicly named, began working for Swalwell in 2019 at age 21, making the then-congressman some 17 years her senior. She alleged the misconduct began with Swalwell sending her images of his genitals over Snapchat and seeking nude photographs in return, and that he attempted to kiss her when she drove him home. The first alleged assault occurred in September 2019 during a night out with friends and Swalwell in downtown Pleasanton, California, where she said she became so intoxicated she could not consent. The second alleged assault took place in April 2024, well after she had left his employ, at a New York City awards gala where Swalwell was being honored. She said she had drinks with him, ended up intoxicated in his hotel room, and that he forcibly had sex with her.

The San Francisco Chronicle, which broke the story, said it corroborated her account with medical records, friends she had confided in, and a former boyfriend. Swalwell's attorney had sent a cease-and-desist letter to the accuser before publication. Separately, CNN reported that four women in total described sexual misconduct by Swalwell, including a former staffer who alleged he raped her while she was heavily intoxicated, leaving her bruised and bleeding. The women requested anonymity, citing fear of retaliation. Swalwell strongly denied those allegations as well.

His campaign had issued a preemptive statement days before the Chronicle story ran, dismissing what it called "false, outrageous rumors" about inappropriate staff relationships, prompted in part by public posts from Cheyenne Hunt, a lawyer and executive director of Gen-Z for Change, who had been stating she was working with women preparing to share accounts of harassment and alleged abuse by Swalwell. After publication, Swalwell said: "These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor. 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 where necessary bring legal action."

The political fallout was immediate. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi withdrew her endorsement and personally urged Swalwell to end his campaign, calling for the allegations to be "fully and fairly investigated." Sen. Adam Schiff wrote on X that he was "withdrawing my endorsement immediately" and that Swalwell "should withdraw from the race." Sen. Alex Padilla, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who acted within two hours of the story's publication, also called for withdrawal. State Superintendent Tony Thurmond and Democratic gubernatorial rival Tom Steyer went further, demanding Swalwell resign his congressional seat. The California Teachers Association's board voted unanimously to rescind its endorsement, multiple campaign staffers resigned, and the endorsements section of Swalwell's campaign website went offline.

Before the allegations surfaced, an Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey had Swalwell leading the June 2, 2026, primary with 17% overall and 27% among Democratic voters, ahead of Steve Hilton at 13%, Tom Steyer and Chad Bianco each at 11%, and Katie Porter at 8%. Analysts identified Porter and Steyer as the likeliest beneficiaries of any collapse in Swalwell's support. Whether any formal investigation follows and how quickly the Democratic field consolidates behind another candidate will define the race before early voting opens May 4.