Sexual Misconduct in Politics

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.