Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democratic congressman from California and a candidate in the state’s gubernatorial race, is facing a series of sexual misconduct allegations from four women, according to a CNN investigation published April 10, 2026.
One former staffer alleges that Swalwell raped her in 2024 while she was heavily intoxicated, an accusation the congressman has denied. The woman said the incident occurred after she had left his office and met him for drinks. “I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” she said. “He didn’t stop.” She reported waking up bruised and bleeding and described it as the second instance of nonconsensual sexual contact involving Swalwell, including a 2019 episode in which she awoke naked in a hotel room with no memory of events but signs of sexual activity, writes CNN.
Three additional women described separate encounters they characterized as inappropriate or nonconsensual. One woman said Swalwell kissed her and touched her leg without consent after they met through shared political interests, later ending up in his hotel room while highly intoxicated. Social media creator Ally Sammarco said Swalwell sent unsolicited explicit messages and nude photos after she contacted him on Twitter. “I truly never thought he would respond – I had like 1,000 followers at the time,” she said. “And he actually responded.” A fourth woman working in marketing reported receiving unsolicited explicit images and messages via Snapchat.
The California congressman was one of the loudest voices attacking Brett Kavanaugh over allegations that he had sexually assaulted someone four decades earlier, despite there being little to no evidence proving it.
2018. Eric Swalwell says that Brett Kavanaugh shouldn't be on the Supreme Court because there are allegations of sexual assault against him.
Swalwell also said that Kavanaugh deserved to be fully investigated by the FBI.
By his own logic, Swalwell should drop out of the CA… pic.twitter.com/aBOZf9RgQ9
— MAZE (@mazemoore) April 9, 2026
He was booted from the prestigious House Intel Committee in 2023 after it was revealed that he had been having sexual relations with a Chinese spy.
Swalwell rejected the accusations in a statement to CNN, framing them as politically motivated. “These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor,” he said. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public – as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
An attorney representing Swalwell sent cease-and-desist letters to two of the women after CNN sought comment, calling the allegations “false” and warning of potential legal action. The attorney also denied that Swalwell had engaged in nonconsensual sex or had sexual relationships with staff members.
Thank you to @CheyenneHuntCA for throwing your weight behind this. Thank you to the survivors who have trusted us and come alongside us. Your courage amazes me.
More to come. pic.twitter.com/AMq2Aqsxog
— mrs.frazzled (@ms_frazzled) April 10, 2026
CNN reported corroborating key elements of each account. In the case of the former staffer, family members and a friend confirmed she had described the alleged assault shortly after it occurred, supported by contemporaneous text messages referring to being “sexually assaulted.” She also provided medical records related to testing following the incident. Another accuser’s account was partially supported by messages and a photograph consistent with the timing and location of her encounter.
The women described what they characterized as a recurring pattern: initial contact through professional or political channels, followed by personal attention that escalated into sexual messaging and, in some cases, unwanted physical encounters, often involving alcohol. Several said they were in their twenties and early in their careers at the time and felt influenced by Swalwell’s position.
Some former staff members interviewed by CNN said they had not witnessed inappropriate behavior and described Swalwell as professional. However, the accusers said the experiences left lasting emotional effects and said they came forward after learning others had similar accounts.
Political commentator Stephen Miller made an important point about all of this: Democrats just want Swalwell to drop out of the California governor’s race. They’re more than happy with him staying in Congress.
He posted this on his official congressional account because he's more worried about losing his seat in Congress than he is the governor of California.
Democrats aren't calling on him to resign from Congress, they're calling him to drop out from his race California.
This is… https://t.co/MWqgSqWhdr
— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) April 11, 2026
Swalwell has not been charged with any crime and continues to deny all allegations. The claims emerge as he gains traction in California’s competitive governor’s race, introducing new scrutiny at a critical moment in the campaign.
[Read More: Democrats Now Campaigning With Podcaster Who Said America Deserved 9-11]
Democrats have never cared for women’s rights. They care for liberal women. Now what will they do. I assume most of his victims are liberal women. Do they support Swalwell or the liberal females he abused.