SACRAMENTO – Eric Swalwell, member of the embattled Rep. He suspended his campaign for governor of California on Sunday but continued to deny allegations that he sexually assaulted a former employee.
His campaign to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom failed as key Democratic supporters, including Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Adam Schiff, who left him.
“To my family, staff, friends and supporters, I am deeply sorry for the mistakes I have made in the past,” Swalwell wrote on social media on Sunday.
“I will fight the serious, false allegations made – but that's my fight, not the campaign's.”
Two reports published on Friday allege that the politician forced himself on a former staffer, while other women described the congressman sending them pictures of his private parts and threatening messages.
Swalwell continues to be defiant and threatened to sue some of those making these allegations.
House ethics rules prohibit members from having sex with a subordinate, and the leader of the House Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries of New York wants an investigation into these allegations.
More fallout could be coming: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) has announced plans to force a House vote to impeach Swalwell, a move supported by some House Democrats, including Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico and Rep. Pramila Jayapal of Washington.
Rep. Jared Huffman, a Democrat who represents Northern California, also called on Swalwell to resign.
The Manhattan district attorney's office has opened an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment against Swalwell by a former employee. A representative of the Alameda County District Attorney's Office on Saturday said the office is in the process of investigating “if any alleged crimes have occurred” at the agency's Bay Area location.
The 45-year-old Democratic candidate has emerged as the front-runner in the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, despite not having many supporters in California.
A former member of the House Intelligence Committee and a seasoned social media user, Swalwell has reveled in his role in hounding President Trump, using his many platforms to attack and mock the twice-convicted, felony president.
He previously worked as a criminal prosecutor, and was elected to Congress in 2012 after defeating Rep. Pete Stark, also a former Democrat.
He pretended to be a middle-class man and featured his wife and three very young children in his campaign for governor. In an interview he had with The Times last year, he spoke about his decision to continue in politics even though his family suffered.
Reports published in the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN offered a stark contrast to Swalwell's positive image, alleging that he forced himself on new employees.
CNN also reported on another woman's account of an alleged affair with Swalwell that involved avoiding soliciting drinks, then waking up in his hotel room with no memory of how she got there.
Swalwell and his team threatened legal action against several people, Swalwell's lawyer Elias Dabaie confirmed to The Times. Swalwell himself took to social media on Friday night to call the allegations “false” and intended to harm him in the race.
Since the news broke, campaign staff have resigned, his fundraising website has been offline and even his “best friend” in Congress, Seni. Ruben Gallegos of Arizona, withdrew his endorsement.
Powerful labor groups, including the California Labor Federation, SEIU California and the California Police Chiefs Assn., withdrew their support.
Other Democrats in the race include billionaire Tom Steyer, former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter, State Supt. of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, San José Mayor Matt Mahan, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former state Comptroller Betty Yee.
Top GOP nominees like Steve Hilton, former Fox News commentator, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
