Rep. Eric Swalwell said Friday evening that he would keep running for governor, issuing a direct-to-camera denial of sexual assault allegations that had upended his campaign hours earlier and prompted calls from top Democrats for him to leave the race.
In a video posted to social media shortly after 8 p.m., Swalwell, D-Castro Valley, rejected the allegations as false, apologized to his wife for what he described as past “mistakes in judgment” and gave no indication he was prepared to withdraw from the contest.
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“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,” Swalwell said.
“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false,” he added. “They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that I have.”
Swalwell says he is staying in the race
The statement came after the Chronicle reported Friday that a former staffer accused Swalwell of sexually assaulting her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent. CNN later reported allegations of inappropriate behavior by several other women.
Swalwell has denied the allegations reported by both outlets.
The political fallout was swift. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and other prominent Democrats called on Swalwell to end his gubernatorial bid after the Chronicle published the former staffer’s account. By Friday afternoon, campaign leaders had stepped down and supporters, including major labor unions, had begun withdrawing or suspending their endorsements.
Swalwell did not address those defections directly in the video. Instead, he suggested the allegations surfaced at a politically charged moment, calling them “anonymous allegations” that came on the “eve” of the June primary election.
DEMOCRATS GOING AFTER SWALWELL WHEN THEY ALWAYS KNEW ABOUT HIS SEXUAL ESCAPADES —WHY NOW? Swalwell in the gubernatorial race meant there was a good opportunity the top two primary vote getters would be Republicans Hilton and Bianco. That is the ONLY reason the communists (aka Democrats) are pushing Swalwell out.
YEP – FANTASTIC!!!!!!! Hope he stays in.
Swalwell staying in the race only hurts other democrat candidates.
NICE!!!!!!
Laugh, another corrupt politician with the D label.
He sells out the country, is protected by the Biden/Obama cabal and then when gets caught says I am innocent.
You vote for them? You see the ongoing corruption. Why?