Swalwell Halts California Governor Bid Over Sexual Misconduct and Rape Allegations

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) said Sunday night that he is suspending his campaign for California governor after being hit with multiple accusations of inappropriate sexual conduct, including at least one claim of rape.

In a post on X, 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.”

He had already denied the claims the day before in a video, describing them as “flat false.” The accusations began surfacing publicly on Friday and range from sexually charged messages to a rape allegation.

Since the reports emerged, several prominent California Democrats have pulled their endorsements and called on him to drop out of the race entirely. Some have gone further, urging him to resign his seat in Congress or saying they would support efforts to expel him if given the chance.

The announcement arrives while other inquiries into Swalwell are already active, including a Department of Homeland Security probe examining whether he hired a Brazilian nanny who was in the country illegally and then misrepresented her immigration status.

On Saturday, a large group of senior staffers from both his congressional office and gubernatorial campaign resigned together. In a joint statement, they withdrew their support for Swalwell, stood by the women who accused him, and asked voters to do the same.