U.S. Congressman Eric Swalwell has suspended his campaign for governor of California following mounting pressure over sexual misconduct allegations.
The Democrat announced the decision in a post on X, saying he would step aside from the race to focus on defending himself against the accusations.
“I am suspending my campaign for governor,” Swalwell wrote. “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.”
Swalwell’s exit comes just weeks before voters are scheduled to receive postal ballots ahead of the June 2 primary election to replace outgoing governor Gavin Newsom and lead the nation’s most populous state.
The congressman had been considered one of the frontrunners among Democratic candidates in what has become a highly competitive race.
The controversy began after the San Francisco Chronicle published allegations from a former staff member who accused Swalwell of inappropriate conduct while she worked in his district office in Castro Valley.
The woman alleged that the congressman made inappropriate comments and sent sexual messages shortly after she joined his staff. She also claimed that in September 2019 she woke up naked in his hotel room with little recollection of the events from the previous night.
She further alleged that during a later meeting at a gala several years afterward, she pushed him away and told him “no” before later noticing signs of sexual trauma.
According to the newspaper, the woman’s claims were supported by text messages she sent to friends at the time and by her former boyfriend, who reportedly encouraged her to report the incident to police.
Subsequently, CNN reported accusations from four women who had worked with Swalwell and also alleged misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to rape.
Within hours of the reports surfacing, several prominent Democratic leaders withdrew their support for the congressman, including Senator Adam Schiff and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Swalwell has strongly denied the allegations, stating that he would defend himself with evidence and legal action if necessary.
“For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman — and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts,” he said.
His legal team had reportedly sent cease-and-desist letters to two of the accusers before the latest allegations were published.
The race for California governor remains crowded, with at least ten candidates expected on the ballot in the primary election. Under California’s election system, the top two vote-getters in the primary — regardless of party affiliation — advance to the November 3 general election.
While Republicans historically struggle to win statewide offices in the heavily Democratic state, analysts say the large number of Democratic candidates could split liberal voters and potentially reshape the dynamics of the race.
