Nancy Pelosi became the latest lawmaker to condemn aspiring California governor and frontrunner Eric Swalwell after he was accused of sexual assault and misconduct by four women.
Swalwell’s campaign hangs in the balance as aides flee his side and a growing chorus of voices speak out against him.
It comes after a woman who worked for two years for Democrat Swalwell claimed she had sexual encounters with him while he was her boss.
She alleged that the married Swalwell raped her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent in 2019 and 2024. She was one of four women to make allegations against the aspiring governor.
Several Swalwell supporters have since renounced their endorsements of him and implored him to drop his bid to replace Gavin Newsom. Among the most high-profile voices was Speaker Emerita Pelosi.
Democratic leadership, including Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar also issued a statement calling for an investigation into the allegations.
According to a spokesperson for Pelosi, she called for the ‘extremely sensitive allegations’ to be ‘appropriately investigated.’
‘The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard,’ she said.
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi called on Eric Swalwell to drop out of the race to replace Gavin Newsom after a former staffer accused him of sexual assault which he denies
Representative Eric Swalwell, who is running for California governor, was accused of sexually assaulting a former staffer twice when she was too intoxicated to give consent. He’s issued a blanket denial
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries released a statement alongside fellow Democratic leaders calling for an investigation into the allegations against Swalwell. Jeffries is pictured above at a press conference in March
‘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.’
Swalwell has issued a blanket denial of the accusations laid against him.
‘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,’ House leadership said in a statement.
The statement said the allegations were ‘unacceptable’ and commended the women for speaking out.
The alleged victims also include social media influencer Ally Sammarco who claimed Swalwell sent her nudes on Snapchat after they began chatting politics on X.
Another woman who claimed to have met Swalwell online alleged she awoke in a hotel room with him after a boozy night out with memories of being kissed and touched with out her consent.
Politico then reported that at least four staffers on Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign have abruptly departed.
Rumors have swirled online for days that something discrediting about Swalwell was about to be exposed.
It comes as Swalwell appeared to be pushing through a crowded field of Democrats ahead of California’s nonpartisan June 2 primary.
Swalwell suggested the allegations were timed to tank his rising campaign.
‘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.’
‘I will defend myself with the facts and, where necessary, bring legal action,’ he continued. ‘My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.’
The Democratic congressman has been married to Brittany Ann Watts since 2016 and the couple has three children.
Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar called the allegations ‘incredibly disturbing’ in a statement
Swalwell, pictured above earlier this week, said the allegations against him were ‘false and came on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,’ he wrote in a statement
California gubernatorial candidate, Representative Eric Swalwell, lost several members of his staff as allegations of sexual impropriety were being revealed to the public on Friday
Politico reported that members of Swalwell’s senior leadership team are already out the door including Courtni Pugh, a strategic adviser who helped the Democrat get a boost among labor groups.
On Thursday night, Swalwell scrapped a town hall event with Representative Raul Ruiz, blaming illness.
Bracing for allegations to surface, his Democratic opponents had already started attacking the congressman, suggesting he’s a hypocrite for slamming men like Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whose confirmation was nearly derailed by sexual misconduct allegations.
Others have withdrawn their endorsements and support of Swalwell just months ahead of the gubernatorial primary in June, including multiple senators.
‘I have read the San Francisco Chronicle’s account and I am deeply distressed by its allegations,’ California Senator Adam Schiff wrote on X.
‘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.’
‘I’ve read the San Francisco Chronicle’s reporting and I take it seriously. What is described is indefensible,’ Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego said.
‘Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed.’
House leadership called said the allegations were ‘unacceptable of anyone’ and commended the women for speaking out. Aguilar, Jeffries and Clark are pictured above speaking to the press in March
Representative Ro Khanna called for ‘appropriate law enforcement investigations and House ethics investigations.’ Fellow candidate Tom Steyer said Swalwell ‘should be nowhere near any position of power.’
Representative Jimmy Gomez announced he was ‘stepping down’ from Swalwell’s campaign.
‘The congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction or delay,’ he said.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called on Swalwell via social media to ‘withdraw from the governor’s race and immediately resign from Congress.’
The California Teachers’ Association retracted its endorsements as the California Federation of Labor Unions said it was ‘acting urgently’ to determine ‘next steps.’
Even California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis said Swalwell ‘should withdraw from the race.’.’
In light of the allegations, Representative Lauren Boebert announced that she would introduce a resolution that would censure officials for harassment.
‘This behavior is disgusting and unbecoming of a Member of Congress. It’s past time to answer for your actions you disgusting pervert,’ she wrote.
Several senators withdrew their support of Swalwell following the allegations against him
Before the sexual assault allegations came out, Swalwell had appeared to be benefiting politically from another salacious story about him in the news.
Late last month, FBI Director Kash Patel was exposed for trying to resurrect an investigation into a suspected Chinese spy who laid a ‘honey trap’ and targeted Swalwell more than a decade ago.
Patel was trying to have documents released about the investigation.
The Washington Post first reported on the scheme, noting how highly unusual it would be for the FBI to release files from an investigation that didn’t result in charges.
There was no evidence of wrongdoing on Swalwell’s part.
What Swalwell had done is criticize President Donald Trump and serve as an impeachment manager amid the President’s second impeachment, which revolved around his role in the January 6 Capitol attack.
The Democratic congressman was also listed as one of Patel’s ‘government gangsters’ in the FBI Director’s 2023 book.
Once Swalwell’s team caught wind of the story, his legal people demanded that the FBI halt any release of the documents and threatened to pursue legal action if the bureau didn’t agree to do so, the Post said.
Appearing to be targeted by Trump’s FBI chief gave Swalwell clout with some of California’s Democratic voters.
The latest allegations, however, could tank his campaign.
