Ex-staffer claims married wannabe Newsom successor assaulted her as aides abandon crumbling campaign

California Representative Eric Swalwell’s campaign for governor is crumbling after a former aide alleged he twice sexually assaulted her, prompting several staffers to flee before the news broke.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that a woman who worked for two years for Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for California governor, said she had sexual encounters with him while he was her boss. 

She alleged that the married Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice, when she was too intoxicated to consent. 

Swalwell issued a blanket denial. 

Politico then reported that at least four staffers on Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign have abruptly departed. 

Rumors have swirled online for days that something discrediting about Swalwell was about to be exposed. 

It comes as Swalwell appeared to be pushing through a crowded field of Democrats ahead of California’s nonpartisan June 2 primary.

Swalwell suggested the allegations were timed to tank his rising campaign.

‘These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,’ he said in a statement. ‘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,’ he continued. ‘My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.’ 

The Democratic congressman has been married to Brittany Ann Watts since 2016 and the couple have three children. 

Before the sexual assault allegations came out, Swalwell had appeared to be benefiting politically from another salacious story about him in the news. 

Late last month, FBI Director Kash Patel was exposed for trying to resurrect an investigation into a suspected Chinese spy who laid a ‘honey trap’ and targeted Swalwell more than a decade ago.

Patel was trying to have documents released about the investigation. 

The Washington Post first reported on the scheme, noting how highly unusual it would be for the FBI to release files from an investigation that didn’t result in charges. 

There was no evidence of wrongdoing on Swalwell’s part. 

What Swalwell had done is criticize President Donald Trump and serve as an impeachment manager amid the President’s second impeachment, which revolved around his role in the January 6 Capitol attack.   

The Democratic congressman was also listed as one of Patel’s ‘government gangsters’ in the FBI Director’s 2023 book. 

Once Swalwell’s team caught wind of the story, his legal people demanded that the FBI halt any release of the documents and threatened to pursue legal action if the bureau didn’t agree to do so, the Post said. 

Appearing to be targeted by Trump’s FBI chief gave Swalwell clout with some of California’s Democratic voters. 

The latest allegations, however, could tank his campaign. 

Politico tracked that members of Swalwell’s senior leadership team are already out the door including Courtni Pugh, a strategic adviser who helped the Democrat get a boost among labor groups. 

On Thursday night, Swalwell scrapped a town hall event with Representative Raul Ruiz, blaming illness.

Bracing for allegations to surface, his Democratic opponents had already started attacking the congressman, suggesting he’s a hypocrite for slamming men like Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whose confirmation was nearly derailed by sexual misconduct allegations. 

Others have withdrawn their endorsements and support of Swalwell just months ahead of the gubernatorial primary in June. 

Senators Adam Schiff of California and Ruben Gallego of Arizona were among the list, with Schiff calling on Swalwell to withdraw from the race. 

‘I have read the San Francisco Chronicle’s account and I am deeply distressed by its allegations,’ Schiff wrote on X. ‘This woman was brave to come forward, and we should take her story seriously. I am withdrawing my endorsement immediately, and believe that he should withdraw from the race.’

Gallego released a statement on social media noting that he takes the allegations against Swalwell ‘seriously’ and regretted ever coming to the candidate’s defense.

‘I’ve read the San Francisco Chronicle’s reporting and I take it seriously. What is described is indefensible,’ he wrote. ‘Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed.’

Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa called on Swalwell via social media to ‘withdraw from the governor’s race and immediately resign from Congress.’

The California Teachers’ Association retracted its endorsements as the California Federation of Labor Unions said it was ‘acting urgently’ to determine ‘next steps.’ 

California Representative Jimmy Gomez announced he was ‘stepping down’ from Swalwell’s campaign. 

‘The congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction or delay,’ he said.