Sexual Assault Allegations Against Gov. Candidate Eric Swalwell
A CNN investigation on April 10, 2026 reported that four women described sexual misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA), including a former staffer who said he raped her when she was too intoxicated to consent. Swalwell, a candidate for California governor, called the allegations "flat false." Within hours, House Democratic leadership called on him to end his campaign, Sen. Adam Schiff and Sen. Ruben Gallego withdrew endorsements, his campaign chair resigned, the Manhattan DA opened a probe, and Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi urged him to drop out. On April 13, Swalwell dropped his governor bid and announced he would resign from Congress, saying he was taking "responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make" while still denying the most serious allegations.
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make. I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”