Rep. Eric Swalwell refuses to quit California governor’s race as sexual assault allegations mount

Rep. Eric Swalwell on Sunday refused to halt his Democratic campaign for California governor as sexual assault allegations mounted against him, party leaders abandoned him and a Manhattan grand jury investigation loomed.

Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat seen as a likely 2028 presidential contender, publicly urged Mr. Swalwell to resign while crediting internet content creators who first revealed the allegations.

“Why not step aside? I’ve called for House Ethics [Committee] investigations. I’ve called for law enforcement investigations,” Mr. Khanna said on “Fox News Sunday.” “What he did is sick and disgusting. There needs to be consequences to that.”

Mr. Swalwell called the allegations “false,” denied any wrongdoing and signaled he plans to stay in the governor’s race.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said it is investigating a sexual assault allegation after a former staffer told CNN she became inebriated while drinking with him in 2024 and woke up to him having sex with her in his New York City hotel room. “I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” she told CNN. “He didn’t stop.”

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Florida Republican, said she will move this week to expel Mr. Swalwell from the House when lawmakers return to Washington, citing the rape allegations.

The allegations have thrown Mr. Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid into crisis. Before the scandal broke, Mr. Swalwell had been gaining momentum ahead of California’s June 2 jungle primary, in which the top two finishers — regardless of party — advance to the general election. The winner will replace Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited.

Other prominent Democrats in the crowded field include former Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer.

Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco are also running strong as they try to become California’s first GOP governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served from 2003 to 2011.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday that Mr. Swalwell was accused of sexually assaulting a former staffer twice when she was too intoxicated to consent. CNN reported that three other women said he engaged in nonconsensual sex or sent inappropriate messages, including nude photos.

One woman’s husband, Adam Parkhomenko, said his wife, Ally Sammarco, went on the record “so that hopefully this did not happen to other women and maybe it would help other women come forward.” He said she provided CNN with the messages Mr. Swalwell sent her.

Mr. Khanna gave specific credit to Cheyenne Hunt, a Laguna Hills attorney and executive director of a progressive advocacy group; social media influencer Arielle Fodor, known online as Mrs. Frazzled; and an online personality known as Organizermemes, saying they “took a lot of risk” to expose the behavior and are “still being criticized online.”

Asked if he would vote to expel Mr. Swalwell if Ms. Luna brings the motion to the floor this week, Mr. Khanna stopped short of an unequivocal yes, saying any such vote should apply equally across party lines.

“Anyone who abuses young girls and staffers should not be in the United States Congress,” he said Sunday, adding that Republicans should also face scrutiny. “This shouldn’t be about politics.”

Mr. Khanna singled out Rep. Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican who is not seeking reelection after admitting to an extramarital affair with a staffer, Regina Santos-Aviles, who died by suicide in September.

Mr. Khanna noted his credibility on the issue, citing his work alongside Rep. Thomas Massie, Kentucky Republican, to pressure the Trump administration to release government files on the late sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Rep. Byron Donalds, a Republican running for Florida governor, said he supports expelling Mr. Swalwell and Mr. Gonzales from the House.

“That vote comes to the floor, I will be voting yes on both measures,” Mr. Donalds said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “These allegations are despicable and they demean the integrity of Congress. These things are just completely unacceptable. And as far as I’m concerned, both gentlemen need to go home.”

Ms. Luna encouraged anyone who says they are a victim to contact her office.

“All victims deserve to be heard,” she said. “I will be bringing a vote to expel Rep. Swalwell from Congress next week. Will Democrats vote to protect this corruption? I am not going to serve with these sexual deviants; that is not what Congress is about.”

Top Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called on Mr. Swalwell to drop out of the gubernatorial race and for investigations into the allegations. Major labor unions and other longtime allies have paused their support.

“They did not happen,” Mr. Swalwell said Friday. “They have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have. They also come on the eve of an election where I have been the front-runner candidate for governor in California.”