Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) had emerged as both a top contender and a top target in California’s crowded gubernatorial race.
In recent weeks, opponents have taken aim at him on multiple fronts, criticizing his attendance record in Congress, questioning where he lives, and accusing him of being too sympathetic to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Negative attention has also been fueled by renewed scrutiny tied to a decade-old investigation involving a suspected Chinese spy, as well as his private AI company, and on allegations of sexual misconduct.
The sexual harassment allegations, which Swalwell has strongly denied, had circulated widely on social media throughout the week. They gained momentum as political operatives, rival campaigns, and online influencers amplified accusations of inappropriate relationships with younger women and assertions that nondisclosure agreements were used.
On Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle finally reported the first story. A former staffer who spent nearly two years working for Swalwell alleged she had a sexual relationship with him while he was her supervisor and accused him of twice assaulting her when she was too intoxicated to give consent. That was quickly followed by a CNN report where four women accused him of sexual misconduct.
Multiple requests for comment from the Washington Examiner to Swalwell went unanswered, but in a statement to the Chronicle, and a subsequent social media post, he denied the allegations, calling them politically timed. He pointed to his nearly two decades in public service as both a prosecutor and lawmaker, saying he has consistently supported and protected women.
Swalwell added that he would defend himself with evidence and take legal action if necessary, while focusing on his family. But that wasn’t enough for several Democrat politicians who quickly urged him to drop out. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), an old friend of Swalwell who chaired the congressman’s unsuccessful presidential bid in 2020, was the first heavyweight Democrat to withdraw his endorsement in the aftermath of the report. California power players, including Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) subsequently called on him to drop out.
EX-STAFFER CLAIMS SWALWELL SEXUALLY ASSAULTED HER. HE DENIES ALLEGATIONS
The groundswell of allegations suggest a candidate who hasn’t been vetted nearly enough, and his campaign – and likely his political career – is now on life support.
“I think it is a huge leap to go from running for Congress in a compact, discrete district — only one of 52 in California, with 760,000 people — to running statewide for governor in a state with more than 23 million registered voters,” veteran California-based Democratic political strategist Garry South told the Washington Examiner earlier this week. “Swalwell has run a smart, effective campaign, in my view, and consolidated his position at the top of the Democratic pack. But he is basically untested in a statewide race.”
Jeff Burton, co-founding partner at Maven Advocacy, told the Washington Examiner that the surge in criticism of Swalwell also reflects a tightening race.
“With less than two months until the primary, front-runner status comes with a target on your back,” said Burton, a Republican strategist. “We’re seeing that with Swalwell now, and Republicans will see the same with [California gubernatorial candidate] Steve Hilton. The candidates who can take the hits and recover quickly are the ones who make it through.”
Until now, Swalwell had consistently polled near the top of the Democratic field in a primary that includes eight Democrats and two Republicans competing to succeed Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. Under California’s jungle primary system, the top two finishers in the June 2 election, regardless of party, advance to the general election in November. Newsom, who is term-limited, is widely expected to run for president in 2028. On Sunday, President Donald Trump endorsed Hilton in the race.
A new poll by Binder Research, which dropped before the San Francisco Chronicle report, shows Hilton pulling 22% of the vote, with Swalwell in second at 18%. Such is California’s jungle primary system, which would send Hilton and Swalwell to advance to the November election showdown. In a normal campaign, one could assume that the Democratic candidate would be able to then consolidate the fractured Democratic support divided among multiple candidates and fend off the Republican challenger.
Swalwell, 45, has carved out a lane in the Democratic field, securing backing from major labor groups and plum endorsements from the likes of Schiff (Schiff withdrew his endorsement Friday). His top Democratic rivals include billionaire Tom Steyer and former congresswoman Katie Porter.
Born in Iowa and raised by Republicans in California, Swalwell has leaned into his record as a “battle-tested” critic of Trump, highlighting his role as a House impeachment manager during Trump’s second impeachment trial, which focused on the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
During his congressional career, Swalwell spent eight years on the House Intelligence Committee, including service on the CIA-focused subcommittee, where he became a prominent Democratic voice on national security and election interference.
Jeff Le, managing principal at 100 Mile Strategies, said Swalwell needs to respond directly.
“Addressing concerns about his residency, his finances, and sexual harassment accusations directly is important to start to stem negative perceptions that could grow from primary voters with less than two months before the pivotal primary,” he said.
For Swalwell, the challenge is not eliminating controversy but controlling the narrative, political commentator Jamie E. Wright told the Washington Examiner.
“If he can successfully argue that this scrutiny exists because of the amount of attention he is receiving due to his level of experience (and subsequently relevance), it will help solidify his position in the polls,” she said. “However, if he lets this scrutiny define him, it could potentially become a liability.”
San Francisco-based political analyst Rich Edwards said the window to respond is closing.
“He’s on the clock and has a lot to answer for,” Edwards said.
Here’s a look at some other issues beyond the sexual harassment allegations that could pose political risks for Swalwell.
Chinese spy scandal
A renewed push by FBI Director Kash Patel to revisit records tied to a decade-old investigation involving Swalwell and a suspected Chinese operative could create fresh political headaches.
The original investigation examined the activities of Christine Fang, who built relationships with local politicians and assisted Swalwell with fundraising. There were also unsubstantiated rumors of a romantic relationship swirling. The U.S. Justice Department ultimately closed the case without filing charges.
“If it’s true that a sitting member of Congress was sleeping with a Chinese spy, then Fang isn’t the only person who is getting screwed,” Republican strategist Mike Hahn told the Washington Examiner. “It raises serious questions about Swalwell’s vulnerability to blackmail by the CCP and calls into question his intellect.”
The House Ethics Committee closed its bipartisan investigation into the scandal in 2023, with Chairman Michael Guest (R-MS) and then-ranking member Susan Wild (D-PA) saying they would take no further action.
Swalwell has accused Trump and Patel of attempting to interfere in the California election.
Residency
Critics, including rival candidate Steyer, allege that Swalwell does not meet California’s residency requirements for governor. Hilton has said Swalwell should be disqualified due to questions about his residency. California’s Constitution requires five years of state residency, but they argue that Swalwell primarily lives in a $1.2 million home in Washington, D.C., with his family.
Conservative activist and filmmaker Joel Gilbert filed a lawsuit against Swalwell over the matter. Swalwell maintains he has been a California resident since 2006 and has lived in a rented room in a Livermore home since 2017. His landlord has submitted paperwork to the effect.
Immigration
Swalwell has moved toward a more aggressive stance, now aligning himself with calls to dismantle and defund ICE.
He has pointed to federal enforcement actions in Los Angeles, which sparked protests and led to the deployment of National Guard troops, as emblematic of policies he opposes. It’s a shift that follows criticism from some Democrats who argued he had not been forceful enough on the issue.
KATIE PORTER DENIES TIES TO INFLUENCER BEHIND ERIC SWALWELL ALLEGATIONS
“Eric Swalwell cast a vote thanking ICE,” Porter told supporters in a campaign message. “That agency should be dismantled—not commended.”
Swalwell’s campaign did not dispute that he was one of 75 Democrats who supported a GOP-backed resolution last year denouncing a deadly attack at a Colorado rally for Israeli hostages. The measure primarily addressed the violence but also included language expressing appreciation for law enforcement agencies, including ICE.
