California governor candidate Eric Swalwell denies sexual assault allegations

Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, one of the leading candidates in the race to be California's next governor, has denied allegations of sexual misconduct from former staff.

"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.

His opponents - and several supporters, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries - have called on him to leave the race.

Democrats will pick their candidate in a primary on 2 June. The winner, expected to become the next governor in the heavily Democratic state, will go on to the 3 November general election.

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.

A number of prominent California Democrats urged Swalwell to drop out of the race on Friday night, 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 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."