Democrat Eric Swalwell’s political allies have quickly jumped ship from supporting his California gubernatorial campaign after the San Francisco Chronicle reported that a former staffer has accused the congressman of sexual assault.
Swalwell has denied the allegations and sent the accuser a cease-and-desist. A NOTUS report then surfaced on Friday afternoon that he allegedly made sexual passes on a then-Capitol Hill intern through Snapchat.
“I have read the San Francisco Chronicle’s account and I am deeply distressed by its allegations. This woman was brave to come forward, and we should take her story seriously,” Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA) posted to X on Friday.
“I am withdrawing my endorsement immediately, and believe that he should withdraw from the race,” he added.
Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), who originally defended Swalwell against the allegations when it was swirling as a social media rumor, also withdrew his support for the lawmaker.
“I’ve read the San Francisco Chronicle’s reporting and I take it seriously,” Gallego wrote. “What is described is indefensible. Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed.”
“I regret having come to his defense on social media prior to knowing all the information. I am equally as shocked and upset about what has transpired,” Gallego continued. “I am withdrawing my endorsement of Congressman Swalwell, effective immediately.”
In addition, the California Teachers Association, a powerful union in the Golden State, wants the congressman to exit the gubernatorial race.
“The allegations are incredibly disturbing and unacceptable against Rep. Swalwell. We are immediately suspending our support. Our elected board will be meeting as soon as possible to follow our union’s democratic process to determine next steps,” the union wrote.
Another large labor union, SEIU, also rescinded their support, which could have major implications for his future in the race.
“SEIU CA has suspended our campaign activities and expenditures following extremely troubling allegations of sexual misconduct by Eric Swalwell. Our leaders will be meeting and will proceed on next steps through the democratic process laid out in our bylaws,” the group posted.
Multiple candidates in the race for California governor are calling on him to drop out, including Democrats Matt Mahan and Tony Thurmond.
Billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, who is running not far behind Swalwell in the top-two June primary, called on him to drop out and leave Congress.
“Eric Swalwell should be nowhere near any position of power, much less be the governor of California. He must resign from Congress and drop out of the race immediately,” he posted.
Meanwhile, the Republican National Committee did not mince words, with spokesman Nick Poche saying that Swalwell has “always has been a disgusting pig who needs to resign from Congress and drop out of the governor’s race in disgrace.”
This is not the first scandal that Swalwell has faced in the political arena, including scrutiny over his connections to a Chinese spy named “Fang Fang” and legal concerns about his California residency.
