California Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading candidate for California governor, is facing backlash after he denied sexual misconduct allegations against him, calling them "flat false" in a video posted on X. The accusations were made public after several key allies and his own staff resigned from his campaign following reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN that a former staffer had accused Swallwell of sexually assaulting her twice, in 2019 and 2024, when she was too intoxicated to consent. The comments were met with condemnation and questions about his past posts about believing survivors. Several lawmakers have also withdrawn their endorsement of his candidacy following the allegations.