\n<\/p>\n
Rep. Eric Swalwell denied the accusations against him in a video statement released late on Friday, making it clear that he had no intention of dropping out of the California governor\u2019s race despite mounting claims that he\u2019d engaged in inappropriate behavior with several former staffers.<\/p>\n
Swalwell posted the video on both X and Instagram, along with the caption, \u201cHear it directly from me. These allegations are flat false. And I will fight them.\u201d<\/p>\n
WATCH:<\/strong><\/p>\n Hear it directly from me. These allegations are flat false. And I will fight them. pic.twitter.com\/bQSlCquD1U<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 11, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n \u201cA lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations,\u201d Swalwell said. \u201cAnd I thought it was important that you see and hear from me directly.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThese allegations of sexual assault are flat false, they\u2019re absolutely false,\u201d he added. \u201cThey did not happen. 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 frontrunner candidate for governor in California.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or that I\u2019m a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past,\u201d Swalwell continued. \u201cBut those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position. I also apologize to you if in any way you have doubted your support for me. But I think you know who I am.\u201d<\/p>\n Swalwell went on to tout his 20-year record of serving the public from the City Council to the U.S. House of Representatives, as well as his record as a prosecutor defending victims of sexual assault.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s who I am and have always been. This weekend, I\u2019m going to spend time with my family and friends, and I appreciate those who have reached out to me to show support,\u201d he concluded. \u201cI look forward to updating you very soon.\u201d<\/p>\n Swalwell\u2019s response comes in the wake of several accusations<\/a> \u2014 including one from a former staffer who said he raped her \u2014 of inappropriate sexually-charged behavior and sexual assault.<\/p>\n But the California congressman, who alleges that the timing and anonymity of the accusations make them suspect, sang a very different tune when similar 11th-hour accusations were leveled against Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh ahead of his confirmation hearings.<\/p>\n On September 18, 2018, Swalwell<\/a> joined with a number of House Democrats in calling for a postponement of the Senate\u2019s confirmation vote, demanding an investigation and including the #MeToo era \u201cbelieve women\u201d tagline: \u201cI joined 109 of my House colleagues in urging the Senate to #PostponeTheVote on #Kavanaugh, so America can have a thorough investigation of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford\u2019s story. #BelieveWomen.\u201d<\/p>\n Swalwell also criticized Republicans who pointed out the fact that Democrats \u2014 namely the late Senator Dianne Feinstein<\/a> \u2014 had reportedly been aware of the accusations against Kavanaugh for some time and had intentionally withheld them until they could be used to derail his confirmation.<\/p>\n \u201cThe #Kavanaugh defenders are trying to stand on the process\/timing of the allegation and wish to ignore its substance. Would they prefer that she never had come forward? Is that what they\u2019re really suggesting?\u201d he posted on September 17, 2018.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of GOP senators are unfairly holding #Kavanaugh victims to criminal law standards for their accounts. If that\u2019s the case they should know this jury instruction: \u2018The testimony of a SINGLE witness can prove any fact,’\u201d Swalwell posted<\/a> a week later.<\/p>\n Even as Swalwell denies the claims against him, his colleagues have already begun to jump ship. Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) was among those who withdrew endorsements ahead of the primary election.<\/p>\n \u201cI have read the San Francisco Chronicle\u2019s account and I am deeply distressed by its allegations. 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,\u201d Schiff said<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n