Staff members from Representative Eric Swalwell’s office and his gubernatorial campaign have issued a letter expressing their shock and dismay over recent sexual assault allegations made against him.
The letter, shared with Politico by a senior campaign staffer who requested anonymity, voiced solidarity with a former colleague and other women who have stepped forward with similar allegations.
According to the report, this letter represents the sentiments of more than a dozen unnamed staff members.
The allegations surfaced when a former staffer accused the California Democrat of sexual assault on two occasions, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
These claims were also reported to CNN, which was informed of additional allegations of sexual misconduct by three other women against Swalwell.
“As leaders within Eric Swalwell’s teams, we are deeply disturbed by the recent revelations reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN,” the staffers declared in their letter. “We stand in support of our former colleague and the other women who have courageously come forward. We urge others to do the same.”
Five years later, the woman said, she attended an April 2024 charity gala where Swalwell was honored. The woman, who no longer worked for Swalwell, said they met for drinks afterward, during which she became so inebriated that she remembers only snippets of the night, including pushing Swalwell away and telling him, “No,” while he allegedly forced himself on her.
The former staffer also told CNN about the two incidents. “Three other women” also told the outlet about “alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct” by Swalwell.
“As leaders of teams working for Eric Swalwell, we’re horrified by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN,” the staffers said in the letter. “We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too.”
The staffers continued to add that “The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians.”
“We also understand that we lead teams who need guidance and stability now, more than ever,” the letter continued. “We are focused on supporting our colleagues during this challenging time. Any decision of staff members to remain in their roles in the interim should not be viewed as support for Eric Swalwell.”
Several Democrats, such as Sens. Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Reps. Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), issued statements withdrawing their endorsement of Swalwell’s campaign for governor, and called for him to end his campaign.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also issued a statement that the woman who “made serious allegations” against the Congressman “must be respected and heard.”
“This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” Pelosi added. “As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”
