Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), who is running for governor of California, is challenging the veracity of the sexual assault allegations brought against him.
Earlier Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle broke the story that a former Swalwell staffer accused her boss of assaulting her twice when she was too intoxicated to give consent. The staffer, 21 at the time, started working at Swalwell’s district office in Castro Valley in 2019. She worked there for nearly two years. Three additional women came forward with similar claims, CNN reported.
“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false,” the congressman said in a video late Friday. “They did not happen. They have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have.”
Swalwell claimed the allegations were “anonymous” in an effort to discredit the four women, arguing the accusations were politically motivated.
“They also come on the eve of an election where I have been the front-runner candidate for governor in California,” he said.
The gubernatorial race remains hotly contested with eight Democrats and two Republicans seeking to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) early next year. Polling has consistently shown Swalwell leading the June 2 open primary, but the front-runner will likely lose support as he progresses further in the race.
A growing number of Democrats are calling on him to end his campaign in light of the allegations. House Democratic leadership, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), said as much. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) also urged the embattled candidate to withdraw, and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) rescinded his endorsement.
“I do not suggest to you in any way that I’m perfect or that I’m a saint,” Swalwell said. “I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife.”
The California Democrat then apologized to his wife, Brittany Watts, “for putting her in this position” and to his supporters who may be troubled about his treatment of women. He tried to allay those concerns.
“For over 20 years, I have served the public as a city councilman, as a member of Congress, and as a prosecutor who went to court on behalf of victims, particularly on behalf of sexual assault victims; that’s who I am and have always been,” he added.
Swalwell concluded the video by saying he will spend the weekend with his family and friends. He also promised to provide an update “very soon.”
Notably, Swalwell posted his response to the allegations on his official X account as a congressman instead of the one dedicated to his gubernatorial campaign. He may face a difficult time in the House as Congress returns to session on Tuesday.
TOP HOUSE DEMOCRATS CALL ON SWALWELL TO END CALIFORNIA GOVERNOR CAMPAIGN
Republicans have vowed to hold him accountable for his past actions. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) revealed she will introduce a privileged resolution to censure him for sexually assaulting female staffers in his office, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) indicated she will file multiple privileged disciplinary motions against predatory lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.
Luna did not name the lawmakers, but her statement alluded to Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX). The latter was forced to drop his reelection campaign after he admitted to having an extramarital affair with a staffer who ultimately died by suicide. The admission, though, only came after his underperformance in the Texas Republican primary last month.
