For weeks, progressive content creators on TikTok and X had discussed vague claims of sexual misconduct against Swalwell. After a town hall in Sacramento on Tuesday, Swalwell was asked by KCRA whether he ever behaved inappropriately with female staffers. He said “no.”
After the Chronicle story was published Friday, multiple candidates in the governor’s race, including former Rep. Katie Porter, investor Tom Steyer, former State Controller Betty Yee, San José Mayor Matt Mahan and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, called on Swalwell to end his campaign. High-profile politicians who had endorsed the congressman began to pull their support, and some called for him to drop out.
House Democratic leadership — Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Rep. Pete Aguilar — called Friday for a “swift investigation” and for Swalwell to “immediately end his campaign.”
“This is unacceptable of anyone — certainly not an elected official — and must be taken seriously,” they said in a joint statement.
Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who was co-chair of Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign, said he was stepping away immediately and urged Swalwell to “leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay.”
Rep. Nancy Pelosi, a longtime ally of Swalwell’s, indicated she had spoken with him. She characterized the allegations as serious and called for the woman to be “respected and heard.”
Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi speaks during a news conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 19, 2024. (Bastien Inzaurralde/AFP via Getty Images)
“This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” she said. “As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”
And Gov. Gavin Newsom, who’s so far stayed out of the governor’s race, said through a spokesperson: “As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously.”
Recent public polling has put Swalwell in the top tier of candidates, along with fellow Democrats Porter and Steyer, as well as two Republicans — commentator Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
In recent weeks, a wide range of powerful players at the state Capitol threw their endorsements and money behind Swalwell, including the California Teachers Association, SEIU, the California Medical Association and Uber.
On Friday afternoon, after the Chronicle published its story, the CTA said it was immediately suspending its support while its board prepared to meet to discuss next steps. SEIU California said it had “suspended campaign activities and expenditures” ahead of a meeting of its leaders.
