Calls grow for Swalwell to quit California governor race after sexual assault allegations

Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell has strongly denied allegations of sexual misconduct from former staff, as top allies intensify pressure on him to exit the California governor's race.

"These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor," he said in a statement after multiple women made allegations ranging from sexual harassment to rape.

Within hours of the accusations surfacing on Friday, Swalwell - one of the leading candidates to replace outgoing governor Gavin Newsom - lost backing from prominent supporters, including Senator Adam Schiff and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Swalwell has vowed to defend himself with "facts".

The first allegation against Swalwell emerged publicly on Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle.

A former staff member told the newspaper that, shortly after being hired to work in his district office in Castro Valley, Swalwell began making inappropriate comments, including soliciting her for sex and sending her sexual messages.

The woman, who has not been named, also said that in September 2019 she woke up naked in the congressman's hotel room with little recollection of what had happened the night before.

Five years later, when she was no longer on his staff, she met him for drinks at a gala. She said she had trouble remembering details of the night, but recalled pushing him away from her and telling him "no".

She added that she woke up with signs of sexual trauma on her body.

The woman's story was reportedly corroborated by text messages she sent friends at the time and by her former boyfriend, who told the newspaper that he encouraged her to report the incident to the police.

Later on Friday, CNN published accusations from four women who worked for him, who had also made claims of sexual misconduct.

Swalwell's legal team had sent cease-and-desist letters to two of the accusers the day prior, according to the broadcaster.

Swalwell vehemently denied the allegations in his statement on Friday.

"For nearly 20 years, I have served the public - as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action," he said.

"My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies."

He added in a video message on Facebook that he wanted the public to hear directly from him and again denied the allegations.

"I do not suggest to you that I am perfect or a saint. I've certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past. But those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologise deeply for putting her in this position."

The calls for Swalwell to exit the race came swiftly on Friday.

A number of prominent California Democrats urged him to drop out, including Senator Adam Schiff and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who said in a statement that "this extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability.

"As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign."

Swalwell also lost support from prominent labour unions including the California Teachers Association who pulled their endorsement.

Outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom said: "As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously."

The allegations have emerged at a pivotal moment in the wide-open primary race to lead the nation's most populous state, just weeks before voters receive mail ballots ahead of the 2 June election.

Among Democratic candidates, Swalwell was projected to be among the leading candidates in a crowded field, according to two polls.

At least 10 candidates are expected to be on the ballot in the non-partisan primary.

Republicans typically struggle to win statewide races in in the heavily Democratic state, but a large group of Democrats have split the state's liberal voters, leaving two Republicans near the top of early primary polls.

The top two vote-getters in the primary move on to the 3 November general election regardless of party preference or whether one candidate receives a majority of all votes cast in the primary election.