Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), who is running for governor of California, is challenging the veracity of the sexual assault allegations brought against him.<\/p>\n
Earlier Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle broke the story that a former Swalwell staffer accused her boss of assaulting her twice when she was too intoxicated to give consent. The staffer, 21 at the time, started working at Swalwell\u2019s district office in Castro Valley in 2019. She worked there for nearly two years. Three additional women came forward with similar claims, CNN reported.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false,\u201d the congressman said in a video late Friday. \u201cThey did not happen. They have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have.\u201d<\/p>\n
Swalwell claimed the allegations were \u201canonymous\u201d in an effort to discredit the four women, arguing the accusations were politically motivated.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey also come on the eve of an election where I have been the front-runner candidate for governor in California,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The gubernatorial race remains hotly contested with eight Democrats and two Republicans seeking to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA) early next year. Polling has consistently shown Swalwell leading the June 2 open primary, but the front-runner will likely lose support as he progresses further in the race.<\/p>\n
A growing number of Democrats are calling on him to end his campaign in light of the allegations. House Democratic leadership, led by Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), said as much. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) also urged the embattled candidate to withdraw, and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) rescinded his endorsement.<\/p>\n
\u201cI do not suggest to you in any way that I\u2019m perfect or that I\u2019m a saint,\u201d Swalwell said. \u201cI have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife.\u201d<\/p>\n
The California Democrat then apologized to his wife, Brittany Watts, \u201cfor putting her in this position\u201d and to his supporters who may be troubled about his treatment of women. He tried to allay those concerns.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor over 20 years, I have served the public as a city councilman, as a member of Congress, and as a prosecutor who went to court on behalf of victims, particularly on behalf of sexual assault victims; that\u2019s who I am and have always been,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n
Swalwell concluded the video by saying he will spend the weekend with his family and friends. He also promised to provide an update \u201cvery soon.\u201d<\/p>\n
Notably, Swalwell posted his response to the allegations on his official X account as a congressman instead of the one dedicated to his gubernatorial campaign. He may face a difficult time in the House as Congress returns to session on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Republicans have vowed to hold him accountable for his past actions. Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO) revealed she will introduce a privileged resolution to censure him for sexually assaulting female staffers in his office, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) indicated she will file multiple privileged disciplinary motions against predatory lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.<\/p>\n
Luna did not name the lawmakers, but her statement alluded to Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-TX). The latter was forced to drop his reelection campaign after he admitted to having an extramarital affair with a staffer who ultimately died by suicide. The admission, though, only came after his underperformance in the Texas Republican primary last month.<\/p>\n
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