In a stunning development that has rocked California politics, Rep. Eric Swalwell, the clear frontrunner for the Democratic nomination in the 2026 gubernatorial race, faced explosive accusations on Friday from a former staff member who claimed the congressman sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions when she was too intoxicated to consent. The woman, who worked in Swalwell’s district office starting in 2019, detailed the encounters in interviews with the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN, alleging the assaults occurred once while she was on his staff and again in 2024 after she had left his employment. The reports, which also included accounts from three other women accusing Swalwell of unwanted advances, explicit messages, and unsolicited nude photos, triggered an immediate collapse in his campaign support, with multiple staffers resigning, key Democratic allies withdrawing endorsements, and even House Democratic leadership calling for him to exit the race just weeks before ballots begin arriving in voters’ mailboxes.

According to the former staffer’s account, she and Swalwell engaged in a series of consensual sexual encounters during and after her time working for him, including repeated interactions that she described as voluntary at the time. She admitted to having consensual sex with the congressman on multiple other occasions, even as she maintained that the two instances of assault crossed a clear line due to her level of inebriation. The Chronicle reviewed text messages, medical records, and corroborating conversations the woman had with others about the incidents, painting a complicated picture of a relationship that blurred professional boundaries with personal ones. Swalwell has vehemently denied all allegations, calling them false and politically motivated smears timed to derail his frontrunner status, while his attorneys have threatened legal action against the accuser.

The revelations have reignited debates over power dynamics in politics and entertainment, seemingly lending credence to Donald Trump’s infamous 2005 Access Hollywood remark that “when you’re famous they let you do it.” Despite the non-consensual claims, the woman’s own admission of repeated consensual encounters with the high-profile lawmaker underscores how fame and influence can create environments where boundaries are tested—and sometimes ignored—by those in positions of authority. As Swalwell’s once-promising bid for governor implodes amid resignations and rival candidates piling on, the scandal serves as a stark reminder that even leading Democrats are not immune to the very accusations they have leveled against others, proving Trump’s blunt observation about celebrity entitlement more prescient than many would care to admit.

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