Eric Swalwell, who is running for California governor, has addressed the sexual assault allegations against him, firmly denying them as “flat out false.”
The 45-year-old shared a video on X on Apr. 10, where he directly responded to the claims and made it clear he intends to fight them.
“A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations, and I thought it was important that you see and hear from me directly,” he said. “These allegations of sexual assault are flat-out false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that I have.”
Swalwell went on to acknowledge that he’s not “perfect” or a “saint,” but said any past “mistakes in judgement” are personal matters between him and his wife, Brittany Watts. He also apologized to her for “putting her in this position.”
He then extended an apology to his supporters for the situation, emphasizing his track record. “For over 20 years, I have served the public as a city councilman, as a member of Congress, and as a prosecutor who went to court on behalf of victims, particularly on behalf of sexual assault victims,” Swalwell added. “That’s who I am and have always been.”
The allegations stem from a former staffer who accused him of rape, claiming the incident occurred in 2024 after she had left his office. She alleged she was heavily intoxicated at the time and that the encounter left her with bruises and bleeding. “I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” she said, according to CNN. “He didn’t stop.”
The accuser also claimed there was a prior incident in 2019, alleging she woke up naked next to him in a hotel room after drinking, with no memory of what happened but believing sexual contact occurred.
Additionally, three other women have come forward with separate accusations of sexual misconduct. The controversy has already had political fallout, with several key Democratic backers reportedly pulling their endorsements ahead of the election.
