After the bombshell sexual assault allegations (opens in new tab) against Rep. Eric Swalwell, top Democrats and his rival candidates called for him to drop out of the California gubernatorial race and resign from Congress.

In a San Francisco Chronicle report, a former staffer for the East Bay congressman claims that he pressed himself on her sexually while she was in his employ and had sex with her twice while she was too intoxicated to consent.

“The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said in a statement. “This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability.”

Pelosi added that she told Swalwell, “It is clear that [this] is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat running to lead the state, was among the first to call on Swalwell to drop out.

“To the survivor who risked everything to come forward — I believe you,” he posted on X. “To the Democratic Party — you’d better hold him accountable. If we don’t, we have no credibility asking anyone else to do the same.”

Betty Yee, the former state controller and another gubernatorial candidate, called on Swalwell to resign.

“He needs to withdraw from the governor’s race and resign from Congress, immediately,” Yee said. “Let the women speak.”

State Superintendent Tony Thurmond also called on Swalwell to resign.

Billionaire Tom Steyer, another candidate, applauded the accuser for speaking out.

“At a moment like this, we must make sure that women are heard and justice is pursued,” Steyer said.

Former Rep. Katie Porter praised “the courageous women who have come forward to share their stories.”

“We believe you, and we stand with you,” the candidate said.

Steve Hilton, a leading Republican candidate for governor, said the California Democratic Party has “become a corrupt, failing embarrassment, collapsing into chaos, sleaze, and scandal.”

He accused powerful labor unions of effectively running the party and selecting Swalwell as their “puppet,” alleging that they were aware of the accusations long before the report.

“That’s why we will defeat them in November,” Hilton said.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (opens in new tab), a Republican candidate, also said (opens in new tab) Swalwell should resign from Congress and drop out of the race.

Even if Swalwell decides to withdraw from the race, his name will appear on the June ballot, which will be sent to voters in early May.

San Francisco Democratic Party Chair Nancy Tung, who supported Swalwell during the state convention endorsement process, described the allegations as “shocking” and “very serious.”

“It’s very damaging to his campaign. Women should be believed. It’s hard to reconcile,” Tung said.

She added that the party adopted a policy last year in response to a series of sexual misconduct incidents in political spaces. The new code of conduct addresses sexual harassment and aims to ensure that political environments are as safe as possible.