Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) announced his resignation from Congress and the immediate suspension of his California gubernatorial campaign Monday. The move follows a series of explosive sexual assault and misconduct allegations from a former staffer and three other women, marking a stunning collapse for a one-time Democratic frontrunner.
The crisis began Friday when The San Francisco Chronicle published a report detailing allegations from an unidentified former staffer. The woman, who joined Swalwell’s office in 2019 at age 21, alleges the congressman pursued her sexually during his brief presidential run.
Her testimony includes two specific instances of sexual assault:
- September 2019: The staffer alleges she became “too intoxicated to consent” during drinks with Swalwell and woke up naked in his hotel bed.
- 2024 Incident: After leaving his employment, the woman claims Swalwell assaulted her again while she was inebriated at a New York gala. She told CNN she “blacked out” but recalled telling him to stop.
Supporting these claims, social media creator Ally Sammarco and two other women told CNN of similar patterns involving unsolicited explicit messages and “nude photos” sent via Snapchat. Sammarco provided screenshots of messages from 2021, alleging Swalwell leveraged his political power to initiate contact under the guise of career mentorship.
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Before the reports went public, Swalwell’s legal team reportedly sent cease-and-desist letters to at least two of the women. This aggressive legal strategy failed to prevent a mass exodus of campaign leadership. Strategic advisor Courtni Pugh and several other senior staffers resigned over the weekend as the allegations surfaced.
“He was the foundation of my career,” the former staffer told the Chronicle. “I knew if I came forward, it would define me and undermine my credibility.”
In a statement and an Instagram video, Swalwell, 45, initially branded the claims “flat false” and “lies” timed to the eve of the primary. However, by Monday afternoon, facing an investigation by the House Ethics Committee and a loss of party support, he pivoted.
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said in his resignation statement. “I will fight the serious false allegations… but I must take responsibility for the mistakes I did make.”
Swalwell’s exit leaves a power vacuum in the June 2 primary. Prior to the scandal, he was a top-tier candidate alongside:
- Rep. Katie Porter (D)
- Tom Steyer (D)
- Sheriff Chad Bianco (R)
- Steve Hilton (R)
With California’s top-two primary system, Democrats now face the risk of a Republican-only general election if the remaining eight Democratic candidates further split the party’s vote. Swalwell’s name will remain on the ballot due to passing withdrawal deadlines.
