Four Women Accuse Rep. Eric Swalwell of Sexual Misconduct; Democratic Members Withdraw Their Endorsements

Stick a fork in him. He’s done.

A former staffer of Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for California governor, says that the congressman raped her when she was heavily intoxicated and left her bruised and bleeding, an allegation Swalwell strongly denies.

“I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” the woman told CNN of the incident, which she said happened in 2024 after she had stopped working in Swalwell’s office. “He didn’t stop.”

CNN:

These Did Not Age Well:

She said it was the second time Swalwell had nonconsensual sexual contact with her while she was drunk. In 2019, when she was still working for him, she said she woke up naked with him in a hotel room after a night of heavy drinking. She said she had no memory of what happened but could feel physically that they’d had sexual contact.

Three other women who spoke with CNN also alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by the Democratic congressman – including Swalwell sending them unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos.

Lost Endorsements:

NEW: Adam Schiff withdraws his endorsement of U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell after ex-staffer accused the leading candidate for California governor of sexual assault.

AZ Intel (@azintel.bsky.social) 2026-04-10T23:01:42.877Z

A spokesperson for the California Medical Association told the New York Times the doctors group “takes these allegations extremely seriously” and have “convened an emergency meeting of our board” to consider withdrawing its endorsement of Swalwell.

CNN spoke to four women who alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by Swalwell, ranging from inappropriate messages and pictures to unwanted kissing and touching — and in one case, rape.

Swalwell denied the women’s allegations.

“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement to CNN. “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.”