Congressman Eric Swalwell’s senior staff have said they are “horrified” by sexual misconduct allegations made against him.
“As leaders of teams working for Eric Swalwell, we’re horrified by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN,” a statement signed by staffers for Swalwell’s 14th congressional district and the “Eric Swalwell for Governor 2026” campaign read on Saturday, April 11. “We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too.”
His staff went on, “The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians.”
Despite their condemnation of the Democratic representative, his staffers addressed why they cannot necessarily quit their jobs at this time.
“We also understand that we lead teams who need guidance and stability now, more than ever. We are focused on supporting our colleagues during this challenging time,” they said in a joint statement. “Any decision of staff members to remain in their roles in the interim should not be viewed as support for Eric Swalwell. We recognize that not everyone — in particular our junior staff — can immediately forfeit their income and benefits without significant personal risk or consequence. Our responsibility now is to them.”
Their statement concluded, “We, more than he, understand that we have obligations to the people we lead and to the constituents of California’s 14th Congressional District. Those of us that remain on staff do so for the sole purpose of ensuring that as many of those obligations are fulfilled as possible.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Representative Swalwell’s office for comment.
Swalwell has been accused of sexual misconduct and harassment by four women. He has strenuously denied all allegations. (The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation into the accusations on Saturday.)
An anonymous former Swalwell staffer told CNN that the Congressman pursued her romantically when she worked at his Castro Valley, California, headquarters in 2019. She alleged that Swalwell propositioned her for oral sex and later invited her out for a drink, where she “blacked out” and allegedly woke up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed, at which time she allegedly felt that he’d initiated vaginal intercourse.
Another accuser, Ally Sammarco, alleged that Swalwell sent her “very inappropriate” text messages via Snapchat. Two other anonymous women accused the politician of sexual harassment and unwanted touching.
Swalwell has been married to Brittany Watts since 2016 and they share three children. On Saturday, April 11, Swalwell denied any wrongdoing, alleging that he was being targeted because he was a frontrunner in California’s gubernatorial race.
“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything I have,” Swalwell said in a statement. “They also come on the eve of an election, where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor of California.”
He went on, “I do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or that I’m a saint — I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past, but those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.”
Many prominent Democrats — including former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — have called on Swalwell to drop out of the gubernatorial primaries.
“This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” Pelosi, 86, said in a statement on Saturday. “As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that this is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”
California’s gubernatorial primary election will be held June 2.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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