Representative Jimmy Gomez, a California Democrat known for cultivating a public image as a devoted family man and founder of the congressional Dads Caucus, admitted to "personal mistakes outside my marriage" on Tuesday. This confession followed a report by the New York Post identifying Yardena Wolf, then chief of staff for Representative Eric Swalwell, as the woman involved in a compromising encounter witnessed in the summer of 2023. The acknowledgement came as Gomez successfully advanced in California's nonpartisan jungle primary election.
"Years ago, I made personal mistakes outside my marriage that have caused real pain to my wife and family." — Rep. Jimmy Gomez, U.S. Representative
The alleged encounter, which occurred during the congressional summer recess of 2023, took place outside a party hosted by Representative Swalwell at his home near the Capitol. Witnesses, including Democratic aides waiting for a rideshare and another aide smoking a cigarette, reportedly saw Gomez, then 48, and Wolf, then 29, in a compromising position near a car. At the time, Gomez's son was 11 months old.
Gomez had consistently presented himself as a dedicated husband and father, famously carrying his newborn son in a sling during marathon House speaker votes in January 2023. His recent admission marks a significant departure from this carefully maintained public persona.
Both Gomez and Wolf initially denied the encounter when contacted by the New York Post in April, acknowledging only their attendance at the party. Wolf continues to deny the incident, stating to the Post via text message, "It remains not true." However, multiple Democratic insiders speaking to the Post described Gomez's private conduct as inconsistent with his public messaging. One congressional aide who witnessed the event drew a parallel between Wolf and her former boss, saying, "She and Swalwell are two peas in a pod," and adding, "When they get caught, they gaslight the s–t out of you to make you question your sanity." Another source referred to the Gomez-Wolf relationship as "literally the biggest open secret in Democratic politics."
The House Ethics Committee had already initiated an investigation following the New York Post's April reporting. According to CNN, which cited three sources familiar with the probe, the committee has since uncovered additional allegations of sexual misconduct against Gomez, expanding the scope of its inquiry beyond the original incident. Gomez has pledged his full cooperation with the investigation.
In his statement to CNN on Tuesday, Gomez said, "Years ago, I made personal mistakes outside my marriage that have caused real pain to my wife and family." He clarified that his actions were "consensual in nature and haven’t violated the law or House ethics rules," but acknowledged that "that doesn’t diminish the impact that these mistakes have made on those I care about the most." He concluded by offering a sincere apology "to my wife, family, friends and the people that I have the privilege to serve." A spokesperson for Gomez declined to confirm whether this confession specifically addressed the reported encounter with Wolf.
Yardena Wolf was a prominent figure in Democratic politics at the time of the incident, having served as Representative Swalwell’s chief of staff for approximately two years. By 2024, she had been featured in Elle magazine and, that same year, co-launched an AI-powered political fundraising platform called Findraiser with Swalwell. Representative Gomez was listed among Findraiser's clients.
The timing of Gomez's confession coincided with California's primary election day. Despite the revelations, Gomez secured approximately 46 percent of the vote in his deep-blue Los Angeles district, comfortably advancing to the November 3 general election. Left-wing challenger Angela Gonzales-Torres finished second with about 25.6 percent, also qualifying. Gomez has not indicated any intention to resign from Congress. Unlike his close ally Swalwell, who faces separate allegations of rape involving a congressional aide, Gomez has not been publicly accused of any criminal conduct. The Ethics Committee probe into Gomez remains ongoing.
