Ex-staffer accuses Eric Swalwell of sexual assault, upending governor's race
Source: Sacramento Bee
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading candidate to succeed outgoing Gov. Gavin Newsom, allegedly sexually assaulted a staff member in 2019, according to a report published Friday by the San Francisco Chronicle.
A former staffer claims Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice while she was too intoxicated to consent, charges Swalwell denied.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell said in a statement sent to reporters. “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.”
On Thursday night, Swalwell’s attorney, Elias Dabaie, sent a cease and desist letter to the woman threatening a lawsuit if she continued to make “false statements accusing Mr. Swalwell of sexual assault and nonconsensual sexual encounters,” according to the Chronicle.
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/ex-staffer-accuses-eric-swalwell-of-sexual-assault-upending-governors-race/ar-AA20CkPu
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rzemanfl
(31,402 posts)Just asking.
Deminpenn
(17,539 posts)Once alcohol is involved, things happen.
OldBaldy1701E
(11,231 posts)Having been in that boat before, I can relate.
I am not 'defending' anyone, I am saying that if nothing happened, it won't matter to the rabid masses who get their 'information' from our current 'media'.
The US propaganda machine is way more efficient and encompassing than the US news machine.
Think about that for a second. 
Deminpenn
(17,539 posts)In my old command, Friday happy hours were de rigueur. The club was always packed, plenty of booze, music, dancing, lowered inhibitions.
Kali
(56,848 posts)wonder what the truth is
Rebl2
(17,788 posts)a primary election. Interesting they just now are coming out with this information. Paid by republicans to make up lies?
travelingthrulife
(5,261 posts)The King of Manufacturing Ratfucks.
maliaSmith
(207 posts)I just don't believe it. It's either the GOP or his opponents lying due to him leading all the others running. I will happily vote for Eric.
no_hypocrisy
(55,013 posts)when I have a criminal client: The claims may not be true, but it sure doesn't look good.
OTOH, this sure seems to follow the pattern set by the accuser of Al Franken. Improbable but someone threw a political Molotov Cocktail at Swalwell.
travelingthrulife
(5,261 posts)
marble falls
(71,979 posts)... There is no way to know absolutely regardless of what your professional experience has taught you.
There's been plenty of time to make claims against him, why now? And OTOH, a lot of good people have had feet of clay and were capable of some foul things.
Either way I think his run is over.
mitch96
(15,819 posts)
Raven123
(7,839 posts)SWBTATTReg
(26,295 posts)ultra-right side to paint Eric into a corner. Why haven't anything come up out of such claims before, if he's been around for 20 years?
Jose Garcia
(3,513 posts)graycampervan
(60 posts)When will Kirsten Gillibrand weigh in? Certainly knifed Al Fraken.
RussBLib
(10,661 posts)...I presume it's the first one he has issued since this aired?
Sure, I want to believe Eric. But if the evidence points to sexual assault, he is going to be in trouble. If it turns out to be consenting adults, that is something else entirely.
https://russblib.blogspot.com
deurbano
(2,994 posts)Escurumbele
(4,099 posts)any evidence, comes out.
It is a coincidence this come out at this time, and knowing the filth that republicans use all the time, I tend to believe this is made up, and someone is getting paid to lie.
But lets see what the truth is? In the mean time, Pelosi and Schiff must stay quiet, unless they know something we don't know.
deurbano
(2,994 posts)sucks in every way... which may not be happenstance. But that also, the evidence does not favor Swalwell:
https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/10/us/eric-swalwell-sexual-misconduct-allegations-invs
I also think it's possible that Pelosi and Schiff may have had some kind of confirmation regarding the truth of the allegations since this has been unfolding for a few days. (My daughter is a delegate to the CA Dems, and was hoping the rumors were baseless.)
mahina
(20,668 posts)This makes me sadder than my words can express. It does smell like a Stone production, in other words, a lie. But the brain wants to believe this so I have to wonder. And I think the allegation that Katy Porter had some part of it i because she and the ledger at the same school at some point seems like nonsense to me.
What a waste.
deurbano
(2,994 posts)on Swallwell. It is very sad, but also makes me angry about what he (allegedly) did to (first and foremost) those young women, but also his wife, his children, his extended family and friends, his staff and supporters, and the public he has had the privilege to represent. Such a betrayal, and if all true, depraved and criminal. But we just heard (so many years after the fact) about Cesar Chavez. It's all heartbreaking. Even those we think are the "good guys"... I'm 71-years-old. Why am I always so surprised? (It makes me feel like a perennially credulous Pollyanna or something.) And of course, Roger Stone also still exists, so that was my first thought, too.
usonian
(25,651 posts)In public, not to him privately that I know of, and way too late, 6 months to a year.
Unless they have some true knowlege of circumstances, its not their place to pile on.
usonian
(25,651 posts)last time I looked.
So, run down her current opponent?
I just want to point out the craziness of it all.
I have a very serious decision to make.
Saying "whoever is in the lead when the ballot lands in my hands gets my vote" sounds awful, but it might amount to that, where that person could shift.
travelingthrulife
(5,261 posts)So sick of Democrats falling for Stone's dirty tricks.
hamsterjill
(17,615 posts)If it's proven true, then so be it. But he's still innocent until proven guilty. In past posts, I've said the same thing about Timothy Busfield and Bill Clinton. If any are guilty, then they need to be held accountable.
I grow weary of all of these very old and very convenient accusations against someone who is running for office. Yes, I understand why victims don't want to come forward. But when it happens like this, it's always suspect. So, let's see if there are any facts that come to light, please, before we ruin another good candidate's career just because someone made an accusation. We've lost way too many people with this same tactic being used.
I'll wait.
Bengus81
(10,196 posts)that would be it for Swalwell right there.
SpankMe
(3,730 posts)With Cali's ranked choice voting, where the 2 top vote-getters will be our only choices, both could end up being Republicans if the many Dems in the race split the vote.The CA Dem party had better cull the heard real quick and coalesce around two strong candidates. The remaining Dems have to bow out ASAP. I think I've read that the ballots for the primary have already been printed and it wouldn't be possible to cull the Dem heard currently vying for the job.
We could be in real trouble here if even a hint of scandal taints our frontrunner, which seems to have happened here. A GOP engineered disinformation campaign this late will sink us.
We'd better be prepared for a disinformation campaign of our own, plus some hard choices from the Cal Dems. Our actions must be pure strategy with no political deference to any candidates who feel "entitled" to run.
As a last chance, Cal Dems should be doing what Republicans did in one of the Carolinas a few years back: When a Dem won the election for gov, the Repub legislature and outgoing Repub governor passed a ton of quickie legislation that moved a lot of gubernatorial power from the governor to the legislature. We have to play hardball here. A Repub governor here in Cali - with the power that a Cal governor has - would be devstating beyond belief.
Polybius
(21,943 posts)More specifically, what exactly could they mean (by California's legal definition)? Did he put his hands on her, or can it mean many other things, such as asking for sex or trying to kiss her?
Quiet Em
(2,952 posts)but she is saying she was too intoxicated to consent.
Polybius
(21,943 posts)
duckworth969
(1,363 posts)Response to Jose Garcia (Original post)
Post removed
BigmanPigman
(55,246 posts)Then I got onto DU to see what's up regarding these ads all of a sudden out and of the blue. How in the hell were his opponents able to have an ad up on TV so fast?!? They followed that as immediately with a different one about some other dude who I never heard of. I am left questioning whose BS to believe right now.
I was trying to watch live coverage of the "splash down" in San Diego (that's where I live) and BOOM..."Swalwell never votes, is not hard working", etc. interrupted my nice evening.
travelingthrulife
(5,261 posts)BigmanPigman
(55,246 posts)Last edited Sat Apr 11, 2026, 12:18 AM - Edit history (1)
I am not surprised if he is behind it but what made you mention his name specifically. I didn't see who was laying for these commercials at the bottom of the screen. I'll make sure to pay closer attention next time I see one of the ads.
BigmanPigman
(55,246 posts)This was the reply...
"Yes, as of April 2026, billionaire activist and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer is actively attacking fellow candidate Representative Eric Swalwell in the California governor's race.
Attacking Professional Record: Steyer released a campaign ad slamming Swalwell for "failing to do the job he was elected to," specifically citing a high percentage of missed votes in Congress while running for governor.
Addressing Misconduct Allegations: Following reports of sexual assault allegations against Swalwell, Steyer demanded he resign from Congress and drop out of the race, stating, "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".
Amplifying Accusations: Steyer has publicly praised the alleged victims, stating their accounts must be taken seriously and that Swalwell should not be in any position of power.
Shifting Political Odds: The intensified attacks, particularly following the surfacing of allegations from former staffers, have caused a surge in Steyer's standing in the race, with betting odds showing a significant increase for him while Swalwell's plummeted.
ultralite001
(2,568 posts)Inquiring minds want to know...
Buddyzbuddy
(2,690 posts)So, that leaves either you never touched this woman in which case, you deny, sue, and fight. But if you ever had a romantic dinner for two, touched her or anything else inappropriate do yourself a favor. Drop out yesterday, fix your marriage and leave politics for good.
Personally I hope you have a solid alibi and there's no truth to it. Which is different than saying there's no proof. That isn't good enough.
Twice? That's a bigger problem. During Covid?
If you want my vote, you gotta fix this first. After Katie stopped trying, you became my guy. So fix it or drop out now.
There's heavy campaigning against Steyer right now being paid by a Realtor's association and what looks to be a builder construction union. I think Republicans are behind the funding. Somebody please get Katie warming up in the bullpen,
deurbano
(2,994 posts)One woman is now the wife of someone who was very involved in Hillary's campaign. (It doesn't seem to just be Republican ratfucking this time.) And there is corroborating evidence (texts, photos) that he (married) was communicating with these (younger) single women, even if the more gross communication was via snapchat, which apparently disappears.
Edited to add:
I was voting for Swalwell. I've seen him at Democratic events and always liked him, and I didn't want this to be true. It's been unfolding over the last few days, but I was really hoping the rumors were unfounded. (Instead, it's much worse than I thought, and if true, it means he shouldn't be in Congress, either, but in jail.) This all SUCKS (including the timing and the jungle primary), but obviously much more so for the women.
Figarosmom
(12,231 posts)And this could be the repub game plan for Nov and 2028. They've paid people before to accuse Dems of sexual assault. And if she was too drunk to consent was she also too drunk to know what happened? The Democratic party in California is screwing themselves already with so many candidates splitting the vote with their type of elections. And yeah if they end up with 2 repubs as the final candidates the Congress better get real busy moving all power to the Congress.
BidenRocks
(3,321 posts)Tom Steyer
Another rich fuck! I believe this is all crap!
Could we use the word ALLEGED in it's proper context?
Lately, alleged means guilty.
We no longer have innocent until proven guilty?
how convenient for Republicans.
Politicub
(12,332 posts)..
JoseBalow
(9,544 posts)
Linda ladeewolf
(1,141 posts)See who made the big deposit.
MichMan
(17,193 posts)
Pototan
(3,161 posts)Swalwell has to drop out of the Governor's race. There are 3 more accusers. Maybe it's a dirty trick, but losing this California Governor's race is too important.
He shouldn't resign his house seat, but he needs to clear the field for Governor.
Miguelito Loveless
(5,784 posts)when she isn’t alone in the claims. We either believe women or we don’t.
jfz9580m
(17,288 posts)Last edited Sat Apr 11, 2026, 02:11 AM - Edit history (1)
It is a level of go team I don’t get. I never liked Swalwell (for other reasons) and this doesn’t surprise me.
I usually havs decent instincts though I shut up often as I am generally isolated as is.
This is why women don’t come forward.
It follows a familiar pattern. I support these women. Good for them. This is why women’s rights are in the toilet.
Fuck Swalwell..well okay unfortunate choice of words. To hell with this asshole. It is going the Cuomo way. It is upto four women. It doesn’t sound at all like a hit job.
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/04/10/us/eric-swalwell-sexual-misconduct-allegations-invs
The woman also shared medical records related to her receiving STD and pregnancy testing after the alleged assault.
For the woman who connected online with Swalwell over Democratic politics, a family member and two friends confirmed she told them last year about the incident where she ended up intoxicated in his hotel room. CNN also reviewed messages between her and Swalwell, including a photo he sent her that matches footage of him during a CNN interview in her city on the night they met in person.
The women described a similar pattern of events: Swalwell, who is married and has three children, showed close interest in their lives when they were in their twenties and finding their footing professionally, making them feel special and even starstruck. Then, they said, he would send them increasingly sexual messages. Many said they reciprocated and engaged with him in part because of his position of power. In some cases, those inappropriate exchanges escalated to alleged unwanted physical touch or sexual assault, often tied to episodes of heavy drinking.
I support these women. I supported the women who came out against Trump, against Gaetz, against Cuomo and I support the women who have come out against Swalwell.
I don’t join fake feminist cults or any groups on the left except from a distance. I am not a group, mob or cult person. I myself brush off various online “outrage of the week” bullshit things. I was unimpressed by that Tim Hunt thing for instance. Not one of his students or postdocs said he was a harasser or a creep.. He made a stupid joke and in the context it waa not found offensive by the women present.
And some shit stirrer hyped it.
I see offensive humor and art and rarely mind except when it is creepy and that is in isolation in my room. I think Sunny in Phialdelphia for instance is one of the funniest shows I have ever seen. But it is not gratuitous. I wish this was a less serious conversation than it is.
But I have seen this for years. Genuine disregard for women’s rights, brutality towards minorities (whether it was the police brutality that triggered blm or the present vicious treatment of undocumented workers or endemic harassment of women).
It follows a tiresome pattern of mob dynamics of initial skepticism and attacks or callousness towards the targets and survivors unless there is an agenda. Followed by mob like brainless attacks on every joke that is not so toothless and defanged that no one anywhere is ever offended. Offensive stuff is sometimes the most meaningful stuff when it is is offensive sanely. What is worrying is this pattern of human mob mentality and that too when a collection of creeps in tech have taken us all hostage and force second rate solutionism.
Usually the policing of language etc and the usual sleazy craven PMC tosh that follows the original lack of giving a shit is the worst response as is online influencing. There is no respite for anyone from constant critical thinking and willingness to being wrong as unpleasant as it is. This itself sounds canned but I do know what it actually means. The whole thing strains my never very easy temper daily.
And now with worthless and parasitic ai (Ai!!!!) and clunkware vs shitty, creepy gig jobs (humans!!!) in between.
All of this leads to predictable backlashes eroding the slim gains made for progress.
Part of being human is being able to assess such things as humans who actually give a shit would.
This isn’t like the Tim Hunt thing (that is the only instance where I saw something that looked like an instance of a clunky joke that did not land getting out of proportion response from the type pf online mob that is rarely around when it is something actually serious).
These are credible sexual assault allegations against Swalwell and are very familiar to women who know that you get attacked.
Alone I will always support screwed over women and people (including decent low power men when they are unfairly attacked when alone). I respect these women and stand with them. There is nothing feminist about backing powerful women or joining mobs when you cannot back women (or men) at the bottom. I also back men at the bottom who are shat on. Life isn’t a quid pro quo or cult teamwork. It is about having some goddamn principles that can weather the test of time and circumstances.
I have only had courage finally now when things have gotten so bad that mobbing is harder since everyone is in shell shock lately. I hate mob mentality. But I am isolated enough that I need at least one person to speak out first. Usually I just leave and exit society as it gets more and more barbaric and self serving. This is a good time for me to come out.
Thanks for getting the ball rolling Miguelito Loveless.
I wish I lived in a less stupid society but I don’t. It is sad that I spend much of my time lately staring at the Many Worlds Theory and wondering why I am in this one.
I have to go pen a defence of my idiotic former mentor in the Writing Forum who was a clunker but not a bad man or sexist or a creep. Just the type who doesn’t rock the boat and those types are a strain. Maybe instead of taking some brainless PMC class he should be guided by his wife (who was a decent woman and not an Alise New-the grotesque wife of Lawrence Summers. I look at people’s spouses when I cannot assess men as well.).
A Tim Hunt is what he was. I sympathized with Hunt’s students and postdocs. I have to go write a support letter for that clunker defending him fully while making sure both complaints and support are registered as they should be.
He is a clunker as far as managing humans goes. That is usually all these ai shills. Can’t stand interacting with humans so ai or more likely “ai” is the solution.
yardwork
(69,414 posts)I don't immediately believe accusers. I think that accusations should be investigated. But the knee jerk misogyny here is appalling. It's like we haven't progressed at all.
RoseTrellis
(167 posts)I’m literally shocked at some of the responses in this thread.
Like #meetoo never happened.
I get that people are disappointed, hell, I am too as a fan of some of what he represented for the future of the party.
However, at some point the evidence is too much to deny, and with party leadership saying he should drop out, it’s beyond doubt.
Deminpenn
(17,539 posts)I personally found him annoying, someone who never met a camera or media he didn't like. I'm not surprised he is denying everything as he has shown a willingness to sue as he has over the J6 insurrection. Can't really identify what it is or was, but something about him never felt right to me.
But usually in cases like this, voters figure out how to coalesce around one candidate.
iemanja
(57,768 posts)They always are. 
If this were a Republican, people here would be screaming for his head. But if a woman dares to report a Democrat, she must never be believed.
hadEnuf
(3,627 posts)due to allegations.
We react and throw our own under the bus at a moments notice. Imagine if we held Republicans to that standard?
halobeam
(5,098 posts)Any and all those deserving should be held accountable in every way.
It's just a mindfuck though, to see the felon in the Whitehouse, with us in the fight of our lives trying to get the full Epstein file, while in a couple days every detail of the Swalwell accusations make it to every major media outlet that exists.
It all should be out in the open.
Jose Garcia
(3,513 posts)kiranon
(1,740 posts)Easy to cast out bad news. Let's see what is true and what is not. Believe in hearing what women have to say but this is just too near the primary and too convenient for Republicans that it casts doubt on this person's claims. Too drunk to remember what actually occurred? Who knows. But, look to who benefits. And, who loses.
catchnrelease
(2,154 posts)I feel like I'm having deja vu. I was all in for John Edwards when he ran for pres. Didn't believe the 'rumors' at first, then find out it was all true. Such a let down.
I haven't made up my mind on who I'm voting for in the CA primary yet, but now have to deal with this crap again. I want good evidence and lean towards believing the women, but I also remember Al Franken's ordeal. And with Roger Stone involved how can it be credible?
We can't let an R get in as our gov, but what is our best alternative to Swalwell if it comes to him being out? Becerra? Katie? 
deurbano
(2,994 posts)I'm thinking Steyer might be the best alternative... which would have been unfathomable to me four days ago when my daughter first heard the rumors. It just seems like Porter is not very popular, anymore, even among Democrats, and Steyer is the only other frontrunner. We need someone to break into the lead FAST with this stupid jungle primary. Maybe if the electeds get behind Porter? I feel it would be hard for them to land on Becerra, given his polling?
SalamanderSleeps
(1,031 posts)Pro Wrestling is fake, Pro Wrestling is fake, Pro Wrestling is fake.
Pro Wrestling is only real to those that need it be.
EuterpeThelo
(384 posts)He was my first choice, mainly because of his outspoken criticism of the regime. I too am wary about the Stone involvement but there seem to be a LOT of receipts in this case. In any event, I think his candidacy is cooked either way.
I don't trust Steyer - his response to all this was way too self-serving and the CoreCivic money makes me sick. Have met him in person at an event supporting Adam Schiff many years ago now and liked him enough, but I also don't think billionaires are the answer to our problems (though I'll give a pass to Pritzker).
I ADORED Porter in the House but feel she has shown too much ego-driven behavior and poor judgment (giving up a not-safe House seat to run for Senate when it REALLY mattered who held the House, complaining the Senate race was "rigged"
. Comes down to brass tacks, I think I will end up voting for her, albeit holding my nose.
I don't know if any of the other Dems can pull enough votes and I am TERRIFIED of having an R gov - I'm old enough to remember Pete Wilson and Ahhhhnold.
FUCK. NOW WHAT!?!?
deurbano
(2,994 posts)Except I'm (at this point) considering Steyer (holding my nose) if it seems he has the best chance to break through quickly. And it pisses me off that the major advantage he has for that goal is his money! Oh, and being white and male, of course. I SO wish Kamala had agreed to run because I believe she would have easily shattered those two glass ceilings.
EuterpeThelo
(384 posts)Is it too late for Kamala to declare!?!?! I adore her, have been following her since the mid-aughts as our AG and she was my first pick in 2019 during the primaries. (In fact, my mom and I went to a rally for her and were interviewed by CNN - the only quote they printed from us was me talking about the need to expand the So-Reamed Court.)
I have supported her enthusiastically in every race she's run. I also firmly believe she actually won in 11/2024 (whether that was due to tossing legit voters off the rolls or Elon's mucking about or whatever, and I give two tosses about anyone saying that thinking that makes me as bad as MAGA; that's an argument for another day).
All that said, I'd so rather see her focus on our state for a few years than run again in 2028.
berksdem
(923 posts)New accusations from other women. This does not look good. If it were a rethug you candidate we would all be calling for their head.
Don’t move the goalposts bc he is a Dem. It’s not a good look.
LPBBEAR
(659 posts)these days.
Democrats in Congress will expend more time and energy trying to expel one of their own who has been accused but not proven than they will expend on expelling the one in the White House who has been accused and PROVEN of sexual assault.
Bait hook fish
(sigh)