Rep. Eric Swalwell’s lead in the race for California governor is taking a huge hit, as the Democratic frontrunner began losing endorsements Friday after bombshell allegations of sexual assault.
The San Francisco Chronicle published an extensive report Friday morning in which a former congressional staffer claimed Swalwell sexually assaulted her — including allegedly taking advantage of her when she was intoxicated multiple times.
Later in the day, CNN reported that four women were alleging sexual misconduct by Swalwell, including one former staffer who accused the congressman of raping her.
The list of endorsements Swalwell had either lost or had suspended by Friday evening included SEIU California, the California Teachers Association, Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Doris Matsui, U.S. Senator Ruben Gallego and state Assemblymember Patrick Ahrens.
SEIU is made of multiple labor organizations for a total of 750,000 members, and its members were out in force for Swalwell on Tuesday at a town hall in which the congressman later denied any inappropriate sexual relationships with staff.
SEIU CA has suspended our campaign activities and expenditures following extremely troubling allegations of sexual misconduct by Eric Swalwell. Our leaders will be meeting and will proceed on next steps through the democratic process laid out in our bylaws.
“SEIU CA has suspended our campaign activities and expenditures following extremely troubling allegations of sexual misconduct by Eric Swalwell,” the union said in a social media post.
“Our leaders will be meeting and will proceed on next steps through the democratic process laid out in our bylaws.
The allegations are incredibly disturbing and unacceptable against Rep. Swalwell. We are immediately suspending our support. Our elected board will be meeting as soon as possible to follow our union’s democratic process to determine next steps.
Gomez, who was serving as chair of Swalwell’s campaign, reportedly issued a statement saying he had stepped down from that role and called on Swalwell to drop out of the race.
“My involvement in any campaign begins and ends with trust,” Gomez wrote. “I cannot in good conscience remain in any role with this campaign, and I am stepping down from it effective immediately.
“The congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay.”
Gallego, a senator from Arizona who has been reported as one of Swalwell’s closest friends in Congress, rescinded his endorsement just days after ripping into allegations that influencers were raising on social media.
“I’ve read the San Francisco Chronicle’s reporting and I take it seriously,” Gallego wrote. “What is described is indefensible.”
He continued: “Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed. I regret having come to his defense on social media prior to knowing all the information.
“I am equally as shocked and upset about what has transpired. I am withdrawing my endorsement of Congressman Swalwell, effective immediately.”
I’ve read the San Francisco Chronicle’s reporting and I take it seriously.What is described is indefensible. Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed.I regret having come to his defense on social media prior…
Ahrens, a Democrat state legislator from San Jose, also ripped his endorsement from Swalwell on Friday.
“I cannot stand behind Congressman Swalwell’s campaign for governor in light of these allegations,” Ahrens told The Post in a statement.
“These claims are serious and deserve to be treated with the utmost gravity, and I believe those seeking public office must be held to the highest standards of accountability and integrity.”
Lorena Gonzalez, president of the Labor Federation, said the organization is reconsidering its endorsement.
“We are shocked by the allegations against Rep. Swalwell,” Gonzalez said in a text message to The Post. “Our Federation is acting urgently to follow our constitutionally prescribed democratic process to determine next steps.”
In a statement to the Chronicle, Swalwell claimed the initial allegations by one woman were flase.
“For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women,” Swalwell told the paper. “I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action.
“My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
The allegations against Swalwell emerged after weeks of online rumors and political whispers that escalated into a formal accusation by a former staffer.
The woman, who worked in Swalwell’s office beginning in 2019, alleged that the congressman initiated a relationship with her shortly after she was hired and later sexually assaulted her on two occasions when she was too intoxicated to consent.
According to the Chronicle’s report, the relationship with his staffer began with messages on Snapchat and gradually became more explicit, with the staffer claiming she felt pressure to engage due to the power imbalance between them.
The encounters allegedly included both consensual and nonconsensual interactions, with the woman saying she initially did not report the incidents out of fear of professional retaliation and concern over Swalwell’s influence.
Swalwell has categorically denied the allegations, calling them “false” and politically motivated, and he has vowed to defend himself through legal action. His attorney sent a cease-and-desist letter to the accuser prior to publication of the Chronicle story, accusing her of making defamatory claims.
The accusations land at a critical moment, with Swalwell leading the Democratic field of candidates in the California governor’s race. Less than four weeks before ballots go out to voters, the congressman is is on the defense.
Larry Gerston, professor emeritus of political science at San José State University, told The Post: “There’s no question about it — he’s now on the defensive.”
“There’s clearly smoke here, and the question is what kind of fire is beneath it,” Gerston added.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, who is also runing for govenor, called on Swalwell to “drop out” of the race while progressive billionaire Tom Steyer, who has been gaining ground in the race, called on Swalwell to quit the race and resign from Congress.
My heart breaks for the women who were sexually abused by Eric Swalwell. They were failed by a political system designed to silence victims and protect power. Thank you for your courage stepping forward.Eric Swalwell should be nowhere near any position of power, much less be…
Betting platform Kalshi showed a huge dip in Swalwell’s odds of winning the governor’s race after the accusations were made public.
