Top Democrats Urge Eric Swalwell To End Gubernatorial Campaign

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) faces calls from numerous top Democrats to end his campaign for California governor amid sexual assault allegations.

Swalwell has denied the allegations and called them “false.”

Eric Swalwell Responds To Reports Of Potential S*xual Harassment Allegations – “It’s False”

“This is unacceptable of anyone — certainly not an elected official — and must be taken seriously,” House Democratic leadership said in a statement, according to CBS News.

“All perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment must be held accountable,” it continued.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California issued the joint statement.

Democrats Urge Swalwell To Drop Out After Ex-Staffer Accuses Him Of Sexual Assault: 'the Democratic Party – you’d better hold him accountable' https://t.co/25SSPzM7lu

— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 10, 2026

CBS News shared further:

Swalwell threatened to take legal action against the woman, who detailed the alleged encounters to the San Francisco Chronicle, which published a story Friday.

The woman, who was not named, said Swalwell started pursuing her shortly after she was hired to work in his district office in Castro Valley in 2019. She alleged he sent her inappropriate photos of himself via Snapchat, requested nude photos of her and asked her to perform oral sex on him in a parking lot. She also alleged that after going out for drinks with Swalwell in September 2019, she woke up naked in his hotel bed with little recollection of the night.

Five years later, in 2024, when she no longer worked for Swalwell, she said she met him for drinks after a charity gala in New York. She said she became intoxicated and only remembers parts of the night, including allegedly pushing him away and telling him “no” while he forced himself on her. She said she woke up the next morning with vaginal bleeding and bruises.

“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women.”

Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have all weighed in on the allegations against Swalwell.

PELOSI weighs in, says she has advised Swalwell to drop his bid for governor

“The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard.

This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and… https://t.co/rOCHBA71UD

— Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) April 10, 2026

“CNN interviews a woman who alleges that she was raped by Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), who is running for governor in California. She says that they were at a bar and she got up to use the bathroom and that her memory of what happened from that point on is mostly gone,” reporter Ryan Saavedra wrote.

“She says she woke up the next morning naked and alone in a hotel room, which she says she didn’t even realize was his hotel room at the time. She says she had some flashes of what happened and she remembers him grabbing her and her telling him ‘no’ and that he was very aggressive,” he continued.

🚨 CNN interviews a woman who alleges that she was raped by Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), who is running for governor in California.

She says that they were at a bar and she got up to use the bathroom and that her memory of what happened from that point on is mostly gone.

She says… pic.twitter.com/nRUQQhryGr

— Ryan Saavedra (@RyanSaavedra) April 10, 2026

KRON4 has more:

Pelosi joins other leading Democrats including Sen. Adam Schiff in demanding that Swalwell exit the race.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom has also weighed in, calling the allegations “deeply troubling,” and saying they “must be taken seriously.”

California Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis has joined the conversation, issuing the statement: “Californians deserve leaders who meet the highest standards of integrity. The allegations against Congressman Eric Swalwell are deeply troubling, and I commend the women who have come forward for their courage. For the good of the state, I believe he should withdraw from the race for California governor.”

Swalwell, who is married with two children, has vehemently denied all allegations.

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