Former Staffer Accuses Rep. Eric Swalwell of Sexual Assault in 2019 and 2024; Swalwell Denies Allegations as Top Democrats Withdraw Endorsements
A former female staffer alleges Rep. Eric Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice—first in 2019 when she says she blacked out and woke up naked in his hotel bed, and again in 2024 after a charity gala when she says she awoke bleeding and bruised—with contemporaneous text messages reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle, interviews and medical records (including pregnancy and STD tests) cited as corroboration. Swalwell has denied the allegations as false and politically timed and his attorney has sent a cease‑and‑desist; the claims have prompted early political fallout, including withdrawals of endorsements by Sens. Ruben Gallego and Adam Schiff, a call from Rep. Jimmy Gomez for Swalwell to leave the governor’s race, the California Teachers Association rescinding support, and reports of other women alleging inappropriate conduct.
📌 Key Facts
- A former Swalwell staffer alleges two incidents of sexual assault: in 2019 she says she blacked out after drinks and woke up naked in his hotel bed, and in 2024 she says he forced himself on her at a charity gala, during which she says she pushed him away and told him "no," later waking up bleeding and bruised.
- The accuser says she was hired at age 21 in 2019 to work in Swalwell’s district office and that he began pursuing her romantically within weeks of her being hired.
- The San Francisco Chronicle reviewed contemporaneous 2024 text messages in which the woman told a friend three days after the incident that she had been "sexually assaulted," described blacking out and telling him to stop; the Chronicle also interviewed a friend and an ex‑boyfriend who say she told them shortly afterward and appeared disoriented.
- Medical records show the woman sought pregnancy and STD tests about a week after the alleged 2024 incident.
- Swalwell has issued a public denial, calling the allegations false and politically timed ("on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor"), emphasized his public‑service record, threatened to bring legal action, and his attorney sent the accuser a cease‑and‑desist letter.
- There has been immediate political fallout: Sens. Ruben Gallego and Adam Schiff withdrew their endorsements (Gallego called the described conduct "indefensible" and apologized for prior defense of Swalwell; Schiff said he was "deeply distressed" and urged Swalwell to withdraw), Rep. Jimmy Gomez—serving as a campaign chair—called on Swalwell to leave the race and cut ties, and the California Teachers Association rescinded its support.
- Early campaign consequences included the resignation of strategic adviser Courtni Pugh, other staff departures, and online backlash with unverified claims circulating.
- Separate reporting cited by outlets includes accounts from three other women alleging various forms of sexual misconduct by Swalwell, including unsolicited inappropriate messages or photos reportedly sent via Snapchat.
📊 Relevant Data
Women filed 78.2% of the 27,291 sexual harassment charges received by the EEOC between FY 2018 and FY 2021.
Sexual Harassment in Our Nation's Workplaces — U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
69% of sexual assault victims are between the ages of 12-34, with 54% aged 18-34 and 15% aged 12-17.
Since 2017, 147 lawmakers in 44 states have been publicly accused of sexual harassment or misconduct.
147 lawmakers in 44 states accused of sexual harassment or misconduct since 2017 — PBS NewsHour
Compared with respondents aged 30 or older, those aged 18-29 were 105% more likely to report sexual harassment and 65% more likely to report sexual assault.
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in Early Adulthood — PMC (NCBI)
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that the accuser was hired at age 21 in 2019 to work in Swalwell’s district office and alleges he began pursuing her romantically within weeks.
- Details her account that in 2019 she became too intoxicated to remember events after drinks with Swalwell and woke up naked in his hotel bed, after which he allegedly distanced himself.
- Provides her description of the 2024 charity-gala night: she says she remembers fragments including pushing him away and saying 'no' as he allegedly forced himself on her.
- Reports contemporaneous text messages, independently reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle, in which she told a friend three days after the 2024 incident that she had been sexually assaulted, saying she blacked out, woke up during it, and told him to stop.
- Notes that the Chronicle interviewed both the friend and an ex‑boyfriend who say she told them about the alleged 2024 assault shortly afterward and appeared disoriented.
- Adds that medical records show she sought pregnancy and STD tests about a week after the 2024 incident.
- Quotes Swalwell’s full denial statement emphasizing his public‑service record, calling the allegations false and politically timed, and threatening to 'bring legal action.'
- Reveals that Swalwell’s attorney sent the woman a cease‑and‑desist letter accusing her of making false claims and warning of legal action if she does not retract.
- Reports that a separate CNN story includes accounts from three other women alleging various forms of sexual misconduct, including unsolicited inappropriate messages or photos allegedly sent by Swalwell, often via Snapchat.
- Notes early political fallout in his gubernatorial campaign, including the resignation of strategic adviser Courtni Pugh and other departures ahead of the Chronicle’s report, with online backlash and unverified claims circulating.
- Swalwell issued a public statement calling the allegations 'false,' framing them as coming 'on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,' and threatened to take legal action against the accuser.
- CBS confirms additional detail from the accuser’s account, including that she says she woke up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed in 2019 after blacking out, and in 2024 awoke bleeding and bruised after allegedly telling him 'no' while he forced himself on her.
- The San Francisco Chronicle reviewed contemporaneous 2024 text messages in which the woman told a friend she was 'sexually assaulted' by Swalwell and described a prior blackout incident with him; CBS relays that verification step.
- Democratic Rep. Jimmy Gomez, serving as a campaign chair for Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid, publicly called on Swalwell to leave the race immediately and cut ties with his campaign.
- Democratic Sens. Ruben Gallego and Adam Schiff withdrew their endorsements; Gallego said what is described is 'indefensible' and apologized for having previously defended Swalwell, and Schiff said he was 'deeply distressed' and urged Swalwell to withdraw from the race.
- The California Teachers Association rescinded its support, calling the allegations 'incredibly disturbing and unacceptable.'