Washington — Home Democratic management on Friday known as on Rep. Eric Swalwell to drop out of the race for California governor within the wake of allegations that he sexually assaulted a former staffer. Swalwell denied the allegations and known as them “false.”
In a press release Friday night time, Home Democratic leaders known as for a “swift investigation” into the allegations and for Swalwell to right away finish his marketing campaign. They known as for accountability, however stopped in need of urging him to resign from Congress.
“That is unacceptable of anybody — definitely not an elected official — and should be taken significantly,” Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California stated. “All perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment should be held accountable.”
“These allegations are false and are available on the eve of an election in opposition to the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell stated in a press release. “For practically 20 years, I’ve served the general public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have at all times protected girls.”
Added Swalwell: “My focus within the coming days is to be with my spouse and youngsters and defend our a long time of service in opposition to these lies.”
Swalwell additionally threatened to take authorized motion in opposition to the lady, who detailed the alleged encounters to the San Francisco Chronicle, which printed a story Friday.
The lady, who was not named, stated Swalwell began pursuing her shortly after she was employed to work in his district workplace in Castro Valley in 2019. She alleged he despatched her inappropriate pictures of himself through Snapchat, requested nude pictures of her and requested her to carry out oral intercourse on him in a parking zone. She additionally alleged that after going out for drinks with Swalwell in September 2019, she awakened bare in his lodge mattress with little recollection of the night time.
5 years later, in 2024, when she now not labored for Swalwell, she stated she met him for drinks after a charity gala in New York. She stated she grew to become intoxicated and solely remembers elements of the night time, together with allegedly pushing him away and telling him “no” whereas he compelled himself on her. She stated she awakened the following morning with vaginal bleeding and bruises.
The Chronicle stated it reviewed texts the lady despatched to a good friend three days after the alleged incident, by which she wrote she was “sexually assaulted” by Swalwell.
“This occurred one different time once I was working with him, however I satisfied myself I used to be an equal get together in it regardless that identical sample: I blacked out and he had intercourse with me,” she wrote, in line with the Chronicle, referring to the alleged 2019 incident.
The Chronicle additionally spoke with the person who was the lady’s boyfriend on the time of the 2024 incident. The then-boyfriend stated he inspired the lady to report Swalwell to the police, however the girl stated she didn’t achieve this as a result of she was afraid they’d not imagine her as a result of she had already showered and thought it could be unlikely that an examination would discover proof.
In a follow-up video posted to social media Friday night, Swalwell stated he plans to combat the allegations “with all the things that I’ve.”
“I don’t recommend to you in any method that I am good or that I am a saint,” Swalwell stated within the video. “I’ve definitely made errors in judgment in my previous, however these errors are between my spouse and me, and to her, I apologize deeply for placing her on this place. I additionally apologize to you if, in any method, you have got doubted your help for me, however I feel you realize who I’m.”
Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez of California, a marketing campaign chair for Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid, additionally known as on him to drop out of the race, calling the knowledge “surprising” and stated the story accommodates “the ugliest and most severe accusations possible.”
“The congressman ought to go away the race now so there may be full accountability no doubt, distraction, or delay,” Gomez stated, including that he was slicing ties with Swalwell’s marketing campaign “efficient instantly.”
Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego of Arizona and Adam Schiff of California, in addition to Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California, additionally stated they had been withdrawing their endorsements.
“What’s described is indefensible,” Gallego stated. “Girls who come ahead with accounts like this need to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed. I remorse having come to his protection on social media previous to realizing all the knowledge. I’m equally as shocked and upset about what has transpired.”
Schiff stated he was “deeply distressed” by the accusations and known as on Swalwell to withdraw from the race.
Democratic Rep. Robert Garcia of California stated Swalwell “should go away the Governor’s race instantly.”
Democratic Sen. Alex Padilla of California stated, “Given the gravity of those claims, Rep. Eric Swalwell ought to step apart to make sure a full, clear investigation free from undue affect.”
Home Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi stated the matter “should be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability. As I mentioned with Congressman Swalwell, it’s clear that’s finest carried out exterior of a gubernatorial marketing campaign.”
Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona stated Saturday she was additionally withdrawing her endorsement of Swalwell, calling the allegations in opposition to him “deeply disturbing and disqualifying.”
“I’m retracting my endorsement of his candidacy for Governor,” Grijalva wrote in a social media submit. “I stand with all survivors of sexual assault.”
Swalwell additionally misplaced the help of the California Lecturers Affiliation, which known as the allegations “extremely disturbing and unacceptable.”
