Congressman Eric Swalwell is facing sexual assault allegations from multiple women, a Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation and calls from top Democrats to finish his campaign for California governor.
4 women — including a former staffer who claims the politician raped her — accused Swalwell in April 2026 of sexual misconduct and harassment. Swalwell has categorically denied all of the allegations.
“These allegations are false and are available on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” Swalwell said in a press release. “For nearly 20 years, I even have served the general public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have at all times protected women.”
Swalwell, a Democratic congressman representing California’s 14th congressional district, was the frontrunner within the 2026 race for California governor before the accusations made headlines.
Keep scrolling to learn more concerning the scandal and resulting investigation:
What Are the Allegations Against Eric Swalwell?
One in every of Eric Swalwell’s former staffer, who was 21 when she was hired, claimed that he attempted to pursue her romantically when she worked at his district office in Castro Valley, California, in 2019. She alleged he messaged her via Snapchat, sent her images of his genitals and sought nude pictures in return. She also claimed Swalwell tried to kiss her in her automotive and later asked her to perform oral sex on him.
The lady further alleged that Swalwell invited her out for drinks in September 2019, where she “blacked out” and allegedly woke up naked in Swalwell’s hotel bed, at which point she felt the consequences of vaginal intercourse.
“I kept determining ways accountable myself: I shouldn’t have reached out to him in any respect, I must have left, I must have done this,” an anonymous alleged victim told CNN in April 2026. “Well, Eric shouldn’t have raped me.”
One other woman, Ally Sammarco, claimed that Swalwell offered to “share her resume” with other congressional offices before sending her “very inappropriate” messages via Snapchat. Two additional women also accused the congressman of sexual harassment and unwanted touching. All the ladies, sans Sammarco, wished to stay anonymous fearing retaliation.
Eric Swalwell’s Denial and Apology to His Wife
Eric Swalwell addressed the allegations in a social media video, while also apologizing to his wife, Brittany Watts.
“I don’t suggest to you in any way that I’m perfect or that I’m a saint. I even have definitely made mistakes in judgment in my past,” he said in a social media video in April 2026. “Those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her on this potion.”
Watts, who shares three children with Swalwell, has not publicly addressed the scandal.
Ally Sammarco’s Husband Reacts to the Scandal
Alleged victim Ally Sammarco‘s husband, Adam Parkhomenko responded on to Swalwell’s denial video in April 2026.
“My wife’s name is Ally Sammarco. Obviously you realize that, but she’s not named anonymous,” Parkhomenko, a Democratic strategist and former DNC National Field Director, wrote via X in April 2026. “She also went on the record with CNN in order that hopefully this doesn’t occur to other women and possibly it might help other women come forward.”
In a second statement, Parkhomenko added, “I’d similar to to reiterate that if Eric Swalwell and his attorney imagine any statements that my wife and I even have made usually are not true, he should sue us immediately.”
Democrats Call for Eric Swalwell to Drop Out of Governor’s Race
Distinguished members of the Democratic Party publicly reacted to Eric Swalwell’s misconduct scandal in April 20226.
“This extremely sensitive matter should be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” Nancy Pelosi said in a press release. “As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is obvious that that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, meanwhile, issued a joint statement with Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar. They called for Swalwell to “immediately end his campaign to be California’s next governor.”
Adam Gray, a Democrat from California who served as a campaign cochair for Swalwell, also called the reports “deeply disturbing” and withdrew his support within the congressman’s gubernatorial race.
Manhattan DA Opens Investigation
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office launched an investigation into Eric Swalwell on April 11, 2026.
“We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of those allegations to contact our Special Victims Division at 212-335-9373,” the DA’s office told CNN in a press release. “Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators and counselors are well-equipped to provide help to in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.”
Us Weekly reached out to Swalwell’s communications director for comment.
Congressman Eric Swalwell’s Staff ‘Horrified’ By Sexual Misconduct Allegations
On the heels of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office opening an investigation into Congressman Eric Swalwell’s alleged misconduct, staffers from his 14th congressional district and the “Eric Swalwell for Governor 2026” campaign released a joint statement condemning him.
“As leaders of teams working for Eric Swalwell, we’re horrified by the recent reporting within the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN,” they said. “We stand with our former colleague, and the opposite women who’ve come forward. We imagine it’s best to stand with them, too. The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians.”
His staffers addressed why it was unattainable for a lot of them to quit their jobs with Swalwell amid the continuing scandal.
“We also understand that we lead teams who need guidance and stability now, greater than ever. We’re focused on supporting our colleagues during this difficult time,” they said in a joint statement.
“Any decision of staff members to stay of their roles within the interim shouldn’t be viewed as support for Eric Swalwell. “We recognize that not everyone — particularly our junior staff — can immediately forfeit their income and advantages without significant personal risk or consequence. Our responsibility now’s to them.”
Their statement concluded, “We, greater than he, understand that now 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 accomplish that for the only real purpose of ensuring that as a lot of those obligations are fulfilled as possible.”
Eric Swalwell Suspends Gubernatorial Campaign
In the future after the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office launched its investigation, Swalwell announced via X that he was suspending his campaign.
“I’m suspending my campaign for Governor,” the politician’s statement read. “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I’m deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I’ll fight the intense, false allegations which have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Congressman Swalwell’s office for comment.
When you or someone you realize has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
This story was compiled with the assistance of AI tools and edited by journalists.