Rep. Eric Swalwell Withdraws from California Governor Race Amid Sexual Assault Allegations
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D - Calif.) has withdrawn from the California Governor race following allegations of sexual assault. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, support is available through the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
A woman came forward during a press conference in Beverly Hills, accusing former Congressman Eric Swalwell of drugging and raping her in 2018. The accuser, represented by attorneys Lisa Bloom and Arick Fudali, shared details of the alleged incident, stating that Swalwell offered mentorship before the assault.
The woman, who was living in Beverly Hills and working in the fashion industry at the time, claimed that Swalwell drugged her drink during a political event they were supposed to attend together. She described feeling incapacitated and unable to consent to any sexual activity during the encounter.
Despite not undergoing a rape kit immediately, the accuser disclosed the incident to close contacts and sought therapy later. She emphasized that fear of Swalwell's political power and legal background delayed her decision to come forward with her story.
Swalwell, who denied the allegations, suspended his campaign for California governor and resigned from Congress. He expressed regret for his past mistakes and acknowledged the need to address the allegations against him. Democrats withdrew their support following the publication of the sexual assault allegations in the San Francisco Chronicle.
In light of the accusations and the impact on his constituents, Swalwell decided to resign from Congress to focus on addressing the allegations against him. He expressed a commitment to ensuring his staff could continue serving the 14th congressional district effectively in his absence.