Staff members of Representative Eric Swalwell’s office and his gubernatorial campaign have issued a letter expressing their shock and dismay over recent sexual assault allegations against him. The letter, which surfaced in the media, underscores their support for their former colleague and other women who have made similar accusations.
According to Politico, the letter was shared by a senior campaign staffer who requested anonymity. It represents the sentiments of over a dozen unnamed staffers who have aligned themselves with the accusers, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.
The controversy erupted following an interview with a former staffer who detailed to the San Francisco Chronicle her experiences of alleged sexual assault by the California Democrat on two separate occasions. This testimony was further corroborated by a report to CNN, where three additional women recounted instances of various forms of alleged sexual misconduct by Swalwell.
In their letter, the staffers conveyed their deep concern over these allegations. “As leaders of teams working for Eric Swalwell, we’re horrified by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN,” they expressed. “We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too.”
She said Swalwell, who is married and 17 years her senior at age 45, tried to kiss her in her car when she drove him home from a donor meeting one night. Driving him to another event weeks later, she said Swalwell pulled out his penis in the car and asked her to perform oral sex on him. She said she did so in a parking lot.
In September 2019, the woman said, Swalwell invited her out for drinks and she became so severely intoxicated that she does not remember the rest of the night. She said she woke up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed and could feel the effect of vaginal intercourse. She said Swalwell distanced himself from her afterward and the relationship faded.
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.”
