Swalwell loses campaign co-chairs, support from outside groups, facing "ugliest & most serious accusations imaginable" [View all]

Andrew Kaczynski @KFILE
Politico is reporting that multiple people have abruptly resigned from Eric Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign:

“Members of senior leadership have departed the campaign, including Courtni Pugh, a strategic adviser who served as Swalwell’s top liaison to organized labor groups.”

The exodus, which began just before the San Francisco Chronicle published a report detailing a former staffer’s claims, jolted California’s marquee race just weeks before ballots start landing in voters’ mailboxes. The former staffer told the newspaper that Swalwell had sexual encounters with her while working for him, and that he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too drunk to consent.

Hours later, CNN reported on that ex-staffer and three additional women who accused Swalwell of making sexual advances and sending explicit photos and messages. And POLITICO reported that a former Swalwell employee had signed an agreement over an employment discrimination claim that included confidentiality and non-disparagement clauses, despite his campaign saying no one on his staff signed an NDA during his tenure.

The dominoes tumbled quickly. Top staffers departed the campaign shortly before the Chronicle story published. Major endorsers began rescinding or pausing their support. And a pro-Swalwell independent expenditure committee said it was suspending operations.

Swalwell’s two campaign co-chairs, Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray, called on Swalwell to drop out — a stunning rebuke from key surrogates who had helped introduce Swalwell to power players in Sacramento, where both served in the state Assembly.

“Today I learned shocking information about Eric Swalwell containing the ugliest and most serious accusations imaginable,” Gomez said in a statement. “My involvement in any campaign begins and ends with trust. I cannot in good conscience remain in any role with this campaign, and I am stepping down from it effective immediately.”

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/10/swalwell-campaign-imploding-amid-sexual-assault-allegation-00867619

____Swalwell denied the accusations. "These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the front-runner 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."

The claims have triggered a swift backlash within Swalwell’s campaign and among supporters. Senior campaign officials have resigned, while several influential groups have withdrawn or reconsidered their endorsements.

The California Teachers Association said it was suspending its backing. "We are immediately suspending our support," its president, David Goldberg, said. "Our elected board will be meeting as soon as possible to follow our union’s democratic process to determine next steps."

The California Medical Association also said it was reviewing its position. "The California Medical Association takes these allegations extremely seriously," said spokeswoman Erin Mellon. "We have convened an emergency meeting of our board."

https://www.timesnownews.com/world/us/us-news/jimmy-gomez-democrat-eric-swalwell-campaign-sex-assault-allegations-article-154049793