SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor on Sunday, following serious allegations of sexual assault that he vehemently denies.
In a social media statement, Swalwell said, I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.
Support for Swalwell swiftly evaporated among fellow Democrats after allegations surfaced that he had assaulted a woman twice, once while she was employed by him. The revelations came just as Swalwell began to gain traction as a key contender in the competitive race.
His exit from the campaign occurs less than a month before the June 2 primary. Democratic rivals were quick to pressure him to leave the race. Additionally, his backing dwindled among endorsing Congress members and labor unions.
While some Democrats urged Swalwell to also resign his congressional position, he did not address those calls on Sunday.
The 48-hour span marked a dramatic turn for a candidate who seemed to be emerging as a frontrunner amid a crowded gubernatorial field competing to replace current Governor Gavin Newsom, who is ineligible for a third term.
With his campaign in turmoil, prominent political figures in the race are left scrambling to capture his supporters and financial backers. Other notable candidates include billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer and former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, while major Republican contenders comprise former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
Swalwell has publicly denied the allegations, although he has made comments indicating personal regrets over past behavior. In one statement, he expressed remorse for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past, which followed an apology offered to his wife via social media.
The specific allegations detail an incident in 2019, when a woman claims she was assaulted while working for him, and another incident in 2024, which CNN reported as under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. According to her, the encounters were non-consensual due to intoxication.
As political pressure mounted throughout the weekend, colleagues in Congress, including Reps. Jared Huffman and Pramila Jayapal, have publicly called for Swalwell to resign, indicating the situation's seriousness transcends party lines. With the House set to reconvene soon, discussions regarding Swalwell's potential expulsion from Congress may arise, igniting further political controversy.
This sharp decline in Swalwell's political fortunes underscores the unpredictable landscape of California's gubernatorial race, which has become even more contentious with his departure.
