Four Women Allege Sexual Misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell, Including Rape Claim

Four women have accused Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for California governor, of sexual misconduct ranging from unsolicited explicit messages to rape. A former staffer told CNN that Swalwell raped her in 2024 when she was heavily intoxicated, an allegation Swalwell denies in a statement calling the claims false and politically timed.

The former staffer said the alleged 2024 incident occurred after she had stopped working in Swalwell's office. She told CNN she was pushing him away and saying no, but he did not stop. She said the encounter left her bruised and bleeding. The woman also alleged a second incident in 2019 while she was still employed by Swalwell, saying she woke up naked in a hotel room with him after heavy drinking and had no memory of what happened but could feel they had sexual contact.

Three additional women described other allegations to CNN. One woman said Swalwell kissed her and touched her leg without consent at a bar before she ended up drunk in his hotel room with little memory of the night. Another woman, social media creator Ally Sammarco, said she received unsolicited nude messages from Swalwell after initially contacting him on Twitter to discuss politics. A third woman described receiving similar unsolicited explicit messages.

Swalwell's attorney sent cease-and-desist letters to two of the women on April 10, the day after CNN contacted his campaign for comment. The letters called the women's accounts false, ordered them to retract their statements, and warned of potential legal action. The attorney also sent CNN a letter denying that Swalwell has ever engaged in nonconsensual sex or had sexual relations with any staff member.

Swalwell issued a statement denying all allegations. "These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor," he said. He stated he has served as a prosecutor and congressman for nearly 20 years and has always protected women, and said he would defend himself with facts and legal action if necessary.

Context

Swalwell, a California Democrat first elected to Congress in 2012, has been a prominent figure in Democratic politics and served on the House Intelligence Committee. His 2026 campaign for California governor positions him as a frontrunner in the race. The allegations emerged during an election cycle, with Swalwell's statement emphasizing the timing of their release.

Cease-and-desist letters from public figures' attorneys are a common legal response to allegations but do not address the substantive claims. The former staffer's account that she sought job references from Swalwell after the alleged 2019 incident is cited in the cease-and-desist letters as evidence undermining her credibility, though such post-incident contact does not legally negate allegations of prior misconduct.

What's Next

Swalwell has indicated he intends to pursue legal action against the women if they continue speaking publicly. The allegations will likely affect his gubernatorial campaign momentum, particularly among Democratic voters prioritizing accountability on sexual misconduct. The extent to which these claims influence his electoral prospects depends on whether additional women come forward, whether law enforcement investigates, and how Democratic Party leadership responds to the accusations.