CA-GOV: Swalwell campaign imploding after new sexual assault allegation

[RandySF]

Multiple people have abruptly resigned from Rep. Eric Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign, throwing the durability of his operation into question after the California Democrat repeatedly this week denied allegations of sexual misconduct.

Members of senior leadership have departed the campaign, including Courtni Pugh, a strategic adviser who served as Swalwell’s top liaison to organized labor groups.

Pugh confirmed her resignation, but declined to comment further. Two other people, who were granted anonymity to discuss internal campaign dynamics, confirmed there have been at least four departures.

The resignations came just before the San Francisco Chronicle published a report Friday afternoon reporting that a former staffer claims Swalwell had sexual encounters with her while working for him, and that he sexually assaulted her twice when she was too drunk to consent.



https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/10/swalwell-campaign-imploding-amid-sexual-assault-allegation-00867619

[Fiendish Thingy]

1. Self sabotage is the worst

Time for Katie Porter to step back into the spotlight and save California from having a republican governor shoved down it’s throat

[walkingman]

2. Damn - is it too much to ask that when running for office that you keep your dick in your pants?

[Phoenix61]

9. Apparently it is too much to ask. nt

[Joinfortmill]

3. You never know, of course, but

Last edited Fri Apr 10, 2026, 06:44 PM - Edit history (2)

Swalwell doesn't seem the type to assault someone. I'm being cautious about that particular allegation. Don't forget, they tried this with Joe Biden, too. He went on Morning Joe and vigorously and successfully defended himself. Just saying, I'm being cautious.

[EdmondDantes_]

11. Given the numbers of women and others who are assaulted

I don't think we can say who seems like the type.

Multiple different women have made claims. At that point, I can't think of any times it's been proven false.

[EdmondDantes_]

27. Spare us the due process thing. That's a court of law process

This Democrat knows the difference between court of law and public opinion. But given the history and how hard it is for victims to come forward, I'm going to give victims the benefit of the doubt, especially when there's corroborating evidence.

[Torchlight]

44. I think you;'re confusing opinions and speculation with a court of law.

One carries legal weight, one doesn't.

[Joinfortmill]

35. Well, as a woman, I can tell you there are a few 'types'.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

30. People who assault others generally do a pretty good job of convincing others that they aren't "the type."

[Joinfortmill]

36. That can also be true.

[Tommy Carcetti]

4. I've been a big fan of Rep. Swalwell so far.

Obviously, these seem like serious charges and I'll consider them objectively as to whether or not they are believable.

To be honest, "Believe all women" is an overly broad statement as there are women who out there who are clearly politically motivated frauds (Tara Reade, Juanita Broaderick). But there are also women out there who have raised legitimate accusations and the fact that I once held the accused person in high esteem doesn't mean I can't re-evaluate. I mean, like many people I used to be a big fan of Bill Cosby.

So I don't subscribe to "Believe all women" as a hard and fast rule but I support "Listen to all women."

[PatSeg]

23. Yes, I believe all women should be "listened to",

but not automatically believed. I've known some women who have said truly rotten things about men for some kind of gain or revenge. Though I am inclined to believe most accusations tend to be legitimate, I still need some evidence. Ruining a man's life and career over a political dirty trick is appalling....i.e. Al Franken.

Republicans have been trying to undermine the careers of Democratic politician with bogus sexual scandals for decades now. Of course, in the real world, the worst offenders tend to be republicans.

[EdmondDantes_]

50. So all 8 women who accused Franken were a dirty trick?

Including at least one Democratic staffer? It's a lot harder to call things a dirty trick when it's a lot of women over multiple years and with confiding to others at the time of the event.

[chowder66]

5. This smells.

[chowder66]

55. I don't think this smells anymore.

The timing is what was throwing me. It seems like there is a real problem with him.
It's the most brutal account that had me scratching my head. Some of it just doesn't make sense to me but I'm not the victim.
The other women seem consistent and there seems to be some real evidence there in the form of texts.

[bluestarone]

6. I'll wait until the whole story

Is told!

[RandySF]

7. It's over.

The unions are jumping ship as I type.

[chowder66]

15. Roger Stone said the campaign was going to blow up today on info wars

It sure does smell fishy especially if Roger Stone is involved.

— Baghdad Bob (@yinzer77.bsky.social) 2026-04-10T21:14:49.555Z

[Bettie]

20. That moves me more into the

"he's being ratfucked" camp, but not 100% in either.

If he leaves the race, is this better for Democrats or the Republicans?

[Bettie]

22. We don't need more billionaires

running things.

We need people who understand what its like to have a budget, who get what it's like to live like an ordinary person.

But, I'm assuming Steyer is better than either of the Republicans.

[chowder66]

34. Yeah. I feel the same and I have no idea about how this will play out.

[Joinfortmill]

37. Remember Joe Biden. I think we're all glad he didn't back down.

[MichMan]

16. IMO there is a lot of difference between crude distasteful comments and being accused of sexually assaulting someone.

[a kennedy]

10. Gawd damn it.......I am soooooooo freaking sick of this type of behavior, IF IT IS TRUE.....

Just gawd damn it. 🤬 🤬 🤬

[RandySF]

12. At least it came out before the primary.

[mr715]

25. It is the primary.

Jungle primary. We can lose this if the Dems don't start dropping out.

[RandySF]

26. I mean before voting.

Looks like a big one will be dropping out soon.

[mr715]

29. Yeah, and it is the right time for this to be happening.

If this weren't going to drop, and instead be a slow burn, we'd lose this seat and control of the Senate.

For the good of the party, Swalwell must stand down.

[msongs]

14. who benefits from this uproar? and the timing is a tad odd nt

[msongs]

18. billionaires dont get that way by being nice nt

[RussBLib]

33. has to be some exceptions to that rule

Warren Buffet? Except for that open marriage thing. But those are consenting adults.

uh, can't think of anyone else.

https://russblib.blogspot.com

[Joinfortmill]

40. Buffett had an open marriage? Didn't know that.

[RandySF]

28. Steyer

[lostincalifornia]

48. Yup, without a doubt, but I would also say the republican candidates, because they would hope for division among

Democrats in are stupid Jungle primaries where the top two candidates run in the general. This moves the odds up that in the general it will be a Democrat verses a republican, rather than a Democrat verses a Democrat in the general.

[pcdb]

38. Democrats

The primary field is too crowded. California could end up with two Republicans duking it out for the governorship.

[pcdb]

39. Democrats

The primary field is too crowded. California could end up with two Republicans duking it out for the governorship.

[flvegan]

24. You'd think they'd learn to keep it in their pants by now. n/t

[cally]

43. Zero tolerance for me

Looks like Katie Porter is the new front runner.

[RussBLib]

31. this kind of thing is why I never ran for public office

....when I was younger and stupider, I did a lot of sex and drugs, like many others. But at that time, there was a general understanding that this kind of behavior would eventually come back to haunt you if you went into public service. So I stayed out. I wonder when the rules changed? because you can get away with damn-near anything these days, except child molestation. But so far, a lot of people are escaping accountability even for that.

You have to have some cojones to still enter public life with skeletons galore in your closet. I guess it's all in how you handle the accusations and fallout.

https://russblib.blogspot.com

[pfitz59]

32. Sad if true!

'Rat-fucking' is a real possibility.

[mopinko]

42. so, is he a drinker?

if he’s a known heavy drinker, i’d lean toward it being true.
plus, if he’s a known heavy drinker, he shouldnt b governor.
drink and drugs ought to b a deal breaker. esp in times like these.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

45. endorsements evaporating:

https://www.cnn.com/2026/04/10/politics/democrats-withdraw-endorsements-of-eric-swalwell-and-demand-he-end-bid-for-california-governor

California Sen. Adam Schiff and Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, both longtime allies, said they were withdrawing their endorsements. Swalwell’s campaign chair, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, said he’d quit the position. And a top adviser, Courtni Pugh, who was Swalwell’s liaison to labor groups, told CNN she had left the campaign “as soon as I learned the seriousness of the allegations,” and that she didn’t know how many others had also quit.

A spokesperson for Californians for a Fighter, an independent expenditure group supporting Swalwell, said in a statement: “In light of the serious allegations, the IE is suspending campaign activity immediately.”

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she had told Swalwell to end his bid. California Gov. Gavin Newsom did not immediately call on Swalwell to drop out but said in a statement: “As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously.” Hakeem Jeffries, the House Democratic leader, said that “these are very serious allegations that require a serious and thorough investigation.”

Meanwhile, several of Swalwell’s rivals in the governor’s race called on him to drop out following reports by CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle in which women accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct.

[duckworth969]

47. No rush to judgement please

[MustLoveBeagles]

49. I think that ship has sailed

At this point it doesn't matter if he's innocent or not. If you're a Democrat and there's the tiniest whif of scandal your colleagues won't support you and you're done. Another effective Dem bites the dust.

[CousinIT]

51. Well, the CA Governor's race on the Dem side needed some pruning

Some of them needed to drop out. I guess Swalwell will be hoisted out by his own petard. I also wonder which Republicans were behind this exposure, if not the manufacture of it. Who did they pay and how much to get them to talk? While I tend to believe the accusers, I also wonder what they were promised by Republicans to talk.

[Shrek]

59. Probably not a Republican

Because of the primary rules, they benefit from having a large number of Democrats. If the vote is sufficiently split it's possible for two Republicans to emerge from the primary with the most votes.

As the field gets smaller, benefits increasingly accrue to the Democrats.

[Orangenero]

52. Nothing proved yet

Swalwelk always seemed a little different, but I'm with him for now.

[pinkstarburst]

53. I'm really suspicious of the timing

When you look at who benefits, it's the two republicans, obviously, and then also Steyer, and Katie Porter.

[RandySF]

54. From what I've read

it was known (or at least suspected) in Democratic circles.

[Abolishinist]

56. What is obvious about the two 'R canidates benefiting if Swalwell drops out?

[LeftInTX]

57. There are 20 Democrats in the race, 12 Republicans, 15 non-partisan, 1 Libertarian

It's a jungle primary, so everyone votes on the same ticket. You vote for several and the two highest are on the November ticket.


Swalwell dropping out doesn't help the GOP.

[Abolishinist]

58. Of course. I live in CA, thus my question.

It helps them nought. Hopefully Porter is next.