Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell, who is currently running for California governor, is denying accusations made by a former staffer to the San Francisco Chronicle that he sexually assaulted her as he faces growing calls from Democrats that he end his campaign.
“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,” Swalwell said in a statement.
Following the newspaper’s reporting, some of Swalwell’s backers have announced they are pulling support for his gubernatorial bid and several high-profile Democratic leaders have also called on Swalwell to end his campaign.
California gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell listens to a question from the audience during a town hall meeting in Sacramento, Calif., April 7, 2026.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
The top three House Democrats including Leader Hakeem Jeffries call on Rep. Swalwell to “immediately” drop his bid for governor.
“Following the incredibly disturbing sexual assault accusations against Congressman Eric Swalwell, we call for a swift investigation into these incidents and for the Congressman to immediately end his campaign to be California’s next Governor,” Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said in a joint statement released Friday.
In a statement, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi said: “This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability. As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”
Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., who chaired Swalwell’s campaign for governor, announced that he is stepping down from the campaign and referred to the accusations as “the ugliest and most serious accusations imaginable.”
“I cannot in good conscience remain in any role with this campaign, and I am stepping down from it effective immediately,” Gomez said. “The congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay.”
Democratic Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, who had in recent days defended Swalwell from online rumors of misconduct, posted Friday that he was withdrawing his endorsement and said that he “regret[s] having come to his defense on social media.”
Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., also said he is pulling his endorsement “immediately” and called on Swalwell to withdraw.
The San Francisco Chronicle published the account of a woman, who remains anonymous, who says she was hired at the age of 21 to work as an intern in Swalwell’s district office.
She claims Swalwell began pursuing her and sent her images of his genitalia. In 2019, she says she went out for drinks with Swalwell and woke up naked the next morning in Swalwell’s hotel bed and “felt the effect of vaginal intercourse,” according to the article.
The woman alleges that five years later at a gala in New York, when she was no longer working for him, Swalwell pursued her while she was inebriated and forced himself on her, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
ABC News has not independently verified these claims.
The congressman added that he is willing to pursue legal action to combat the accusations.
“I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies,” Swalwell said.
In the wake of the Chronicle’s reporting, several of Swalwell’s Democratic opponents in the governor’s race, including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and former State Controller Betty Yee have also called on Swalwell to drop out of the race.
California gubernatorial candidate, Rep. Eric Swalwell appears at a town hall meeting in Sacramento, Calif., April 7, 2026.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP
The two frontrunners in the race, billionaire businessman Tom Steyer and former Congresswoman Katie Porter, expressed support for the alleged victim but stopped short of calling on Swalwell to drop out of the race.
Earlier this week, Swalwell’s campaign told ABC News that Swalwell has not received any complaints and has not asked anyone to sign non-disclosure agreements.
“This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race,” campaign spokesperson Micah Beasley said in a statement provided to ABC News on Tuesday.
“In 13 years, no one in Eric Swalwell’s Congressional office has ever been asked to sign an NDA. Ever,” Beasley said. “In 13 years, not a single ethics complaint by any staff in his office or any other office has ever been lodged. Ever.”
House ethics rules prohibit sexual relationships between members and interns or staffers but cannot investigate an incident occurring more than three terms of Congress ago.