Gavin Newsom Rallies Support Amidst Eric Swalwell Allegations: Urges Donations to Strengthen Campaign

California Governor Gavin Newsom has urged his followers to contribute $35 to his political action committee in response to Rep. Eric Swalwell’s departure from Congress.

Swalwell, a Democrat, vacated his congressional seat on Tuesday following accusations of rape from a former female staff member. Additionally, three other women have claimed that he sexually harassed them.

In a fundraising email circulated on Wednesday, Newsom referenced Swalwell, who had been serving California’s 14th District in the Bay Area. A special election is scheduled on August 18 to elect his successor.

“The residents of California’s 14th District need prompt representation in the House, especially given the narrow Republican majority in Congress. I was determined not to grant Mike Johnson even a single extra day before filling this position,” Newsom’s email stated.

As reported by the New York Post, the email encouraged fellow Democrats to donate $35 to the Campaign for Democracy PAC, which is connected to Newsom.

Prior to the accusations against Swalwell, he was running in the gubernatorial primary and was quickly emerging as a front-runner in a crowded field.

Newsom had been silent about the sexual misconduct allegations until Sunday, hours before Swalwell withdrew from the California governor’s race.

‘As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously,’ Newsom said in a statement.

California Governor Gavin Newsom sent out a fundraising email in the wake of Eric Swalwell resigning from Congress over the sexual misconduct allegations. He asked fellow Democrats to send $35 each to his own political action committee (Newsom is pictured with wife Jennifer Siebel Newsom at White House dinner for the nation’s governors on February 24, 2024)

Swalwell has been accused by five different women of varying levels of misconduct, ranging from harassment to rape. He strongly denies the allegations against him

Newsom’s wife, gender activist and actress Jennifer Siebel Newsom, has not said anything publicly about the accusations against Swalwell.

Earlier this month, she implied that President Donald Trump was sexist because the two most prominent people he has fired so far – former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Attorney General Pam Bondi – were women.

Before Swalwell dropped out, Newsom refused to endorse anyone in the race to succeed him. He still does not plan to do so.

‘California has always benefited from a depth of talent and vision within our Democratic Party, and this upcoming race for governor is no exception,’ Newsom told the Post in a statement.

‘The field represents a diverse group of leaders who are deeply committed to continuing our state’s progress, and I have full confidence that voters will choose a candidate who reflects the values and direction Californians believe in,’ he added.

Privately, Newsom has commented on some of the candidates. According to CNN, he has said billionaire Tom Steyer would be too wishy-washy ideologically and believes former Rep. Katie Porter could cause a private sector contraction in California.

Swalwell, no longer a congressman or an actively running politician, has strongly denied the allegations against him and plans to fight them in court if necessary.

He is facing at least three different probes into his alleged conduct with women. A source confirmed to The Hill on Thursday that the Department of Justice has opened an investigation.

Pictured: Swalwell at a campaign stop part of his bid to be California’s next governor on April 7, 2026. Three days later, the San Francisco Chronicle published an account of a former staffer who said Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice

Jeanine Pirro, the US Attorney for the District of Columbia, set up a tip line to solicit information about allegations against Swalwell. 

‘If you hear about someone who was allegedly drugging, choking, raping victims, who has lived in this district for a significant period of time, I would expect there would be victims who might have information,’ Pirro said in a video posted to X.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office is investigating the allegation that Swalwell drugged and raped a former staffer of his after a charity gala in New York City.

And after a fifth woman, Lonna Drewes, came forward to accuse Swalwell of raping her in a West Hollywood hotel in July 2018, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department has confirmed it is investigating the report.