Rep. Eric Swalwell Drops Out; Suspends California Gubernatorial Campaign Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

WASHINGTON — Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), once a leading contender in the crowded Democratic primary for California governor, announced Monday that he is suspending his 2026 campaign to focus on defending himself against multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct from former staffers.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Swalwell wrote: “I am suspending my campaign for Governor. To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

The announcement came just days after explosive reports in the San Francisco Chronicle and other outlets detailed accusations from at least four women, including a former staffer who alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two occasions — once while she worked for him and again in a New York City hotel room in 2024 after a charity event, when she said she was heavily intoxicated and unable to consent.

eastcountymagazine.org

Swalwell has vehemently denied the claims, calling them “flat false” and suggesting they surfaced on the eve of the election for political reasons. He maintains that any past “mistakes in judgment” were not criminal.The allegations triggered a rapid collapse of support for his campaign. Within hours of the initial reports on Friday:Campaign co-chairs Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray resigned and called on Swalwell to exit the race.

Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), a prominent endorser, withdrew his support, saying he was “deeply distressed” and urging Swalwell to withdraw.

Major labor unions, including the California Teachers Association, SEIU California, and the California Federation of Labor, pulled or suspended their endorsements.

Other Democratic figures, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and several gubernatorial rivals, called for him to step aside immediately.

thehill.com

Staffers reportedly resigned in advance of the stories, and a pro-Swalwell independent expenditure committee suspended operations.Adding to the pressure, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed it has opened an investigation into the 2024 New York allegation. The DA’s Special Victims Division is reviewing the claim and has asked anyone with additional information to come forward.

bbc.com

Swalwell, who has represented California’s East Bay in Congress since 2013 and built a national profile through his work on the House Intelligence Committee and frequent media appearances, had been viewed as a frontrunner to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. His campaign emphasized themes of fighting for working families and protecting California values.The swift backlash and suspension mark a dramatic reversal for the congressman, who has not yet addressed whether he will resign from the House of Representatives, where calls for his departure have also grown on social media and from some political opponents.As of Monday morning, the California governor’s race — already competitive on the Democratic side — is in flux, with other candidates positioning themselves amid the vacuum left by Swalwell’s exit from the trail.Swalwell’s statement emphasized his intent to fight the allegations personally while apologizing to those close to him. The full political and legal fallout remains unclear as investigations proceed and more details potentially emerge.