Shortly after a former staffer accused Democratic California Rep. Eric Swalwell of sexual assault on Friday, a host of California Democrats said that they believe the woman and that Swalwell must drop out of the race to become the Golden State’s next governor.
The woman who had served as Swalwell’s staffer for almost two years claimed that the married congressman had sexually assaulted her twice when she was intoxicated beyond the point of consent, the San Francisco Chronicle first reported. Swalwell denied the allegations, which came four days after California Democratic activist and former House candidate Cheyenne Hunt wrote in a series of explosive X posts that she was working with multiple women set to accuse the leading gubernatorial candidate of sexual offenses.
Less than two hours following the publication of the Chronicle story reporting the allegations, Democratic San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan — who is running for governor against Swalwell in California’s June 2 all-party primary — called for Swalwell to immediately withdraw from the race and for their shared party to “hold him accountable” or risk losing “credibility.”
“To the survivor who risked everything to come forward – I believe you. To the Democratic Party – you’d better hold him accountable,” Mahan wrote in a Friday X post. “If we don’t, we have no credibility asking anyone else to do the same.”
“To [Swalwell] – drop out,” the mayor emphasized.
A spokesperson for Swalwell and the California Democratic Party each did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
Forty minutes after Mahan’s post, Democratic California Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who served as a co-chair of Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign, also called for his House colleague to drop out, adding he was immediately stepping down from his campaign role.
“Today I learned shocking information about Eric Swalwell containing the ugliest and most serious accusations imaginable,” Gomez wrote in a statement posted on X. “My involvement in any campaign begins and ends with trust. 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,” he added.
Shortly thereafter, Democratic California Sen. Adam Schiff wrote in an X post that he was immediately withdrawing his endorsement of Swalwell, adding that he believes “that he should withdraw from the race.”
“I have read the San Francisco Chronicle’s account and I am deeply distressed by its allegations. This woman was brave to come forward, and we should take her story seriously,” Schiff wrote in the post.
Billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer, another Democrat seeking to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom, called for Swalwell to not just “drop out of the race immediately” but also resign his Bay Area congressional seat.
“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,” Steyer wrote on X. “Thank you for your courage stepping forward. Eric Swalwell should be nowhere near any position of power, much less be the governor of California.”
Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi also issued a statement shortly following the Chronicle’s report writing that the allegations are an “extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability.”
“As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign,” Pelosi added in the statement, posted to X by Politico’s Dustin Gardiner.
Former Democratic California Rep. Katie Porter, another one of the candidate’s intraparty opponents, also said she believes the accuser in a Friday X post — although she stopped short of calling for Swalwell to exit the race.
“The allegations against Congressman Swalwell are horrifying,” Porter wrote. “I’m thinking of the courageous women who have come forward to share their stories. We believe you and we stand with you.”
Swalwell and his team have vociferously denied the allegations and an attorney for the House lawmaker sent a cease-and-desist letter to the staffer accusing him of sexual assault on Thursday, the Chronicle reported.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell, who is leading in recent polling, told the outlet in a statement. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women. 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 candidate added.
“This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race,” a spokesperson for Swalwell told the DCNF in a statement Tuesday, one day after Hunt spoke about the impending allegations on X.
“I got involved because the first victim who approached me is a close friend, but when I saw that there were others who’s experiences fit the same pattern of manipulation and abuse of power, I knew I couldn’t stay silent,” Hunt wrote on the social media platform Monday. “Targeting employees, interns, and fans. Acting as a mentor just to exploit that power. DMs [direct messages] and Snapchat messages. Allegations ranging from uncomfortable comments to potentially criminal conduct.”
(Featured Image Media Credit:Â Screenshot/Grabien/CNN)
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