Eric Swalwell denies misconduct claims in governor bid

Representative Eric Swalwell of California faced public accusations of sexual misconduct on Friday as he campaigns for California governor, triggering immediate calls from senior Democrats for him to leave the race. A published account described several alleged sexual encounters, including two instances in which a woman said she was assaulted when she was too intoxicated to consent. Mr. Swalwell denied the allegations and said later on Friday that he would continue to fight them.

Officials and allies moved quickly after the reports. Representative Jimmy Gomez, a California Democrat who had been serving as Mr. Swalwell’s campaign chairman, said he was stepping down immediately and urged Mr. Swalwell to withdraw. Mr. Gomez described the accounts as “the ugliest and most serious accusations imaginable,” and said Mr. Swalwell should exit the race “so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay.”

Other Democratic leaders in Congress also called for Mr. Swalwell to drop out of the California governor’s contest while seeking a rapid investigation into the sexual assault allegations. ” Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, said she told Mr. Swalwell to leave the governor’s race.

Mr. Swalwell’s response rejected the claims and framed their timing as politically motivated. “These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner for governor,” he said in a statement Friday. He added that he would defend himself “with the facts” and, “where necessary,” pursue legal action.

One of the women, Ally Sammarco, said in an interview on Friday night that Mr. Swalwell sent her inappropriate messages on Snapchat in 2021. Ms. Sammarco, a 28-year-old content creator, said she was working as a field organizer for the Democratic Party of Virginia on behalf of Terry McAuliffe when she contacted Mr. Swalwell on Twitter in August 2021.

She said he later gave her his personal cellphone number, asked her to text him, and then suggested moving to Snapchat; she provided screenshots of text messages, and said she did not have records of Snapchat exchanges because messages disappear after a period of time.

Ms. Sammarco said the Snapchat messages included personal questions, references to alcohol, and comments that she was attractive, along with photos she described as showing him traveling and in hotels, including in bed. She said that, on one occasion, he sent her an unsolicited photo of his penis. She said the exchange made her feel “gross and uncomfortable,” and that she did not ask for it. She also said that about three months after their text exchanges began, Mr.

Swalwell’s wife gave birth to their third child, and that while he posted publicly about the baby, he continued messaging her privately; she said she gradually stopped responding and that they were no longer in touch by December 2021.

The reports also described additional allegations from other women, including claims that Mr. Swalwell touched a Democratic activist’s thigh and tried to kiss her in a bar booth before bringing her to his hotel room, and claims from two women that he sent unsolicited photos of his penis. The New York Times said it has not confirmed the accusations of sexual assault.

The political fallout extended to endorsements. Senator Adam Schiff, a California Democrat who had endorsed Mr. Swalwell, called on him to drop out. Senator Ruben Gallego, Democrat of Arizona, also withdrew his endorsement and said he regretted defending Mr. Swalwell in recent days before specific allegations were published, adding: “What is described is indefensible,” and that women who come forward “deserve to be heard with respect.”

Mr. Swalwell is among eight prominent Democrats and two well-known Republicans running in California’s nonpartisan primary to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cannot run again because of term limits. The primary is in June, and the allegations were already disrupting Mr. Swalwell’s campaign as senior officials quit and interest groups retracted endorsements.

Implications

Country Impact: The allegations and calls for withdrawal add pressure on Democratic leadership in the United States as they seek a swift investigation while managing a high-profile statewide campaign. The episode also affects the dynamics of a major gubernatorial contest in California, a politically influential state.

Industry Impact: Campaign operations and political advocacy groups are directly affected as senior officials resign and interest groups retract endorsements. Labor unions and professional associations that engage in state politics may reassess support as the primary approaches.

Market Impact: California’s governor’s race can influence policy expectations in a large U.S. state, which is closely watched by businesses and investors. The immediate impact described is political: endorsements and campaign staffing shifts that can change how stakeholders assess the stability of the race.