Swalwell Denies Allegation, Calls Claims Politically Motivated
A former staffer has publicly accused Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democratic candidate for California governor, of sexual misconduct and assault, according to a report published Friday by the San Francisco Chronicle. Swalwell has denied the allegation and said the claims are politically motivated.
The Chronicle reported that the woman, who said she began working for Swalwell in 2019 at age 21, accused him of coercive sexual behavior and alleged there were two incidents in which she says she was too intoxicated to consent. The paper said it reviewed contemporaneous messages, witness accounts, and medical documentation that corroborated parts of her account.
What the Report Says
According to the Chronicle, the former staffer alleged that Swalwell pursued her through private messages, sent explicit material and used the power imbalance of their working relationship to manipulate her. The paper said her account included allegations tied to incidents in 2019 and 2024.
The allegation comes after days of online rumors and repeated denials from Swalwell’s campaign over misconduct claims circulating during the governor’s race. ABC7 reported earlier this week that Swalwell said accusations amplified by social media influencers were false.
Swalwell Pushes Back
Swalwell has denied the allegation. The Chronicle reported that he described the claims as politically timed to damage his gubernatorial bid. Other recent reporting shows Swalwell and his allies have also threatened legal action over online sexual misconduct rumors, including cease-and-desist warnings tied to defamation claims.
The allegation adds a major new layer of scrutiny to one of 2026’s highest-profile statewide races. It also marks a shift from earlier unverified online accusations to an allegation reported by a major news outlet that says it reviewed supporting documentation.
This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.
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Was the staffer’s nickname Fang Fang?
If Swallowwell has this hanging over his head running for governor, then why is this not front and center on the house floor as to whether he has the morals to lead his district. The democrats (marxists) standards are more like a step down instead of a step up in behavior, isn’t it?