Swalwell exits California governor race amid assault allegations

US Congressman Eric Swalwell has suspended his campaign for California governor after sexual assault allegations surfaced, rapidly eroding his political support and triggering calls for his resignation from Congress.

“I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” he said in a social media statement on Sunday.

“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 Democrat added.

The decision follows reporting by CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle outlining allegations from a former staffer and claims of misconduct from several other women. The reports quickly shifted the political landscape around Swalwell’s candidacy, which had been competitive just weeks earlier.

A March poll from Emerson College had shown him leading both Democratic and Republican challengers in the race to succeed Gavin Newsom. But the allegations prompted a wave of backlash, with party figures withdrawing endorsements and urging him to step aside.

Prominent Democrats moved quickly. Congressman Ro Khanna called the allegations “sick and disgusting” and pushed for investigations by both law enforcement and the House of Representatives. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed it has opened an inquiry.

Pressure has not been limited to Democrats. Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna said she would introduce a motion to begin expulsion proceedings against Swalwell, an idea that has drawn some bipartisan support.

“This is not a partisan issue,” said Pramila Jayapal. “This cuts across party lines. And it is the depravity of the way that women have been treated.”

The controversy has widened beyond a single case. Lawmakers have also raised the possibility of expelling Tony Gonzales, a Republican facing separate misconduct allegations, with both Khanna and Republican Byron Donalds signalling openness to action against both men.

“As far as I’m concerned, both gentlemen need to go home,” Donalds said.