Second Woman Accuses Trump Foe Swalwell of Rape Ahead of Resignation

A California woman publicly accused Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) of raping her in 2018, becoming the second woman to allege sexual assault against the congressman who announced his resignation from Congress earlier this week.

Lonna Drewes identified herself publicly at a Tuesday news conference flanked by attorneys. She said the assault occurred at a Southern California hotel. She consumed one glass of wine that evening and believes Swalwell drugged her before raping her. She said he later choked her, causing her to lose consciousness. "I did not consent to any sexual activity," Drewes said.

Swalwell announced his resignation Sunday, the same day he dropped out of the California governor's race, following earlier sexual assault allegations from a separate woman. He has denied the prior accusations of sexual assault but acknowledged making unspecified "errors in judgment." His attorney, Elias Debaie, did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Drewes' allegations. Swalwell said he intends to fight the accusations, stating, "I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that's my fight, not a campaign's."

For Treasure Coast residents who vote in Florida's 21st Congressional District, the Swalwell case carries broader resonance. It arrives amid a Washington environment where misconduct allegations have accelerated the departure of sitting members at an unusual pace, leaving key congressional committee seats and alliances in flux heading into an election year.

Drewes was working as a model and ran a Beverly Hills-based fashion software company at the time. She said Swalwell offered to help her build connections in business and politics. She had met him twice before the night she says he raped her. That evening, the two attended a restaurant opening and were heading to a political event when Swalwell suggested stopping at his hotel room to retrieve paperwork. Once there, she said her limbs grew heavy and she believed she had been drugged.

Drewes said she did not undergo a rape kit but documented the alleged assault in a personal journal and disclosed it to people close to her. She also discussed it during therapy sessions at a sexual assault center in Connecticut. Attorney Lisa Bloom said journal entries, text messages and photographs will accompany a forthcoming report to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

Additional women have accused Swalwell of sending inappropriate messages and nude photographs. His congressional seat, representing California's 14th District, is expected to become vacant upon his formal resignation, which he said would occur this week. No date for a special election to fill the seat has been announced.

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