The Manhattan District Attorney's Office has officially opened an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell, a prominent Democratic candidate in California's gubernatorial race. The probe follows accusations from four women alleging misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to rape, including an incident reportedly occurring in New York.
"We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division," stated the New York City prosecutor's office. "Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner."
Swalwell, who has represented a district near San Francisco since 2012, vehemently denies all claims. In a public statement, he declared, "For nearly 20 years, I have served the public—as a prosecutor and a congressman—and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action." His legal team has reportedly sent cease-and-desist letters to two of the accusers.
The allegations first surfaced publicly on Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle, where a former staff member detailed inappropriate comments and two alleged assaults—one in September 2019 and another in 2024 after a charity gala in New York. The woman claimed she was too intoxicated to consent on both occasions. CNN later published accounts from four women making similar accusations.
In a video message on Facebook, Swalwell addressed the public directly, stating, "I do not suggest to you that I am perfect or a saint. I've certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past. But those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologise deeply for putting her in this position."
The timing of these allegations is critical, emerging just weeks before voters receive mail-in ballots for California's wide-open primary to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom. Swalwell, previously projected as a frontrunner in recent polls, has already lost backing from key Democratic supporters including Senator Adam Schiff and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Swalwell's congressional and campaign aides released a statement expressing they were "horrified" by the allegations, adding, "We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should 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."
The investigation introduces significant uncertainty into the Democratic primary, where no clear leader has yet emerged from the crowded field. Political analysts warn that vote-splitting among Democrats could potentially allow two Republican candidates to advance from June's primary, excluding Democrats from November's general election in the nation's most populous state.