Rep. Eric Swalwell Faces Mutiny from Supporters Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

Wed Apr 15 2026 17:08:21 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a sudden shift, key supporters of Rep. Eric Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign have rescinded their endorsements following allegations of sexual assault against him. The situation has escalated, drawing attention to the implications for Swalwell's political future.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, a prominent candidate in California's gubernatorial race, is under intense scrutiny after allegations of sexual assault emerged. His main supporters, including Senator Adam Schiff and several labor unions, have withdrawn their endorsements, urging him to exit the race. Amid these developments, Swalwell has maintained his innocence and vowed to fight the allegations, which he claims are false and part of a political attack. The fallout from these accusations could significantly impact California's upcoming election as voters prepare for mail ballots next month.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A notable turn of events in California's gubernatorial race unfolded as significant supporters of Rep. Eric Swalwell recently withdrew their backing. This action followed allegations of sexual assault against Swalwell, surfacing just as he sought to make a strong showing in the upcoming elections.

Swalwell responded to the claims on social media, underscoring that he would spend the weekend with family and friends before providing an update about his situation. He stated, These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They’re absolutely false. They did not happen, they have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have.

The congressman, once considered a top contender to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom, experienced an immediate backlash from notable figures within the Democratic Party. Senator Adam Schiff and several powerful labor unions promptly rescinded their endorsements, insisting that Swalwell should step aside from the race.

As the scandal continues to unfold, prominent Democratic politicians echoed concerns about the serious nature of the allegations. Newsom commented that the accusations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also weighed in, advocating for a thorough investigation outside of the campaign context.

The allegations detail incidents reportedly involving a woman who was employed by Swalwell, indicating that both alleged assaults occurred in 2019 and 2024, respectively. The individual, whose identity remains undisclosed, conveyed to local media that she refrained from contacting authorities as she feared skepticism about her claims.

Within the broader implications for Swalwell's campaign, key alliances are now in jeopardy as labor unions—the California Service Employees International Union and California Teachers Association—have suspended their support. The response from the Democratic establishment suggests that personal conduct could significantly influence the upcoming electoral landscape, particularly in a race marked by fierce competition.

With mail ballots set to be distributed next month ahead of the June 2 election, the urgency to address these allegations and their impact on Swalwell’s political aspirations has reached a critical juncture. Critics within the party are advocating for a unified approach to the public perception of candidates to safeguard against losing voters in the race for California's governorship.