Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell announced on Sunday that he is suspending his campaign for California governor in light of serious allegations of sexual assault and misconduct involving multiple women. In a statement posted on X, Swalwell expressed regret for past mistakes, stating, "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 allegations against Swalwell include claims from at least four women, with a former staffer detailing instances of sexual assault occurring when she was too intoxicated to consent. The allegations first surfaced in a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, which indicated that the staffer woke up naked in Swalwell's hotel room in 2019 after a night out. Additionally, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has confirmed it is investigating these allegations, urging survivors and anyone with information to come forward.
Following the allegations, pressure mounted from both sides of the aisle for Swalwell to withdraw from the race and resign from Congress. Prominent figures such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and current House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries withdrew their endorsements and called for a swift investigation. Jeffries stated, "This is unacceptable of anyone — certainly not an elected official — and must be taken seriously." Fifty-five of Swalwell's former staffers also signed a letter urging him to resign, declaring, "No one is above the law."
Rep. Ro Khanna described the accusations as "sick and disgusting," while Rep. Jared Huffman stated that Swalwell's actions amounted to an abuse of power. Huffman noted, "He must now drop out of the Governor's race and resign from Congress."
In response to the allegations, Swalwell has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, labeling the accusations as politically motivated. He stated, "These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor." Swalwell also threatened to take legal action against the accuser. Despite suspending his campaign, he has not indicated plans to resign from his congressional seat, which has led to further calls for his expulsion from the House.
Swalwell's withdrawal reshapes the competitive field for the California gubernatorial race, which includes several notable candidates such as billionaire businessman Tom Steyer and former Congresswoman Katie Porter.
As investigations continue, the political ramifications for Swalwell and the Democratic Party could be significant. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is actively pursuing the allegations, while discussions of a potential House expulsion vote loom. Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has announced plans to bring this motion to the floor, signaling a bipartisan push for accountability. The unfolding situation remains fluid as the governor's race approaches, with broader implications for both Swalwell's future in politics and the Democratic Party's integrity.
Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell announced on Sunday that he is suspending his campaign for California governor in light of serious allegations of sexual assault and misconduct involving multiple women. In a statement posted on X, Swalwell expressed regret for past mistakes, stating, "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." His exit significantly alters the landscape of the gubernatorial race, which is set for June 2.
The allegations against Swalwell include claims from at least four women, with a former staffer detailing instances of sexual assault occurring when she was too intoxicated to consent. The allegations first surfaced in a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, which indicated that the staffer woke up naked in Swalwell's hotel room in 2019 after a night out. Additionally, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office has confirmed it is investigating these allegations, urging survivors and anyone with information to come forward.
Following the allegations, pressure mounted from both sides of the aisle for Swalwell to withdraw from the race and resign from Congress. Prominent figures such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and current House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries withdrew their endorsements and called for a swift investigation. Jeffries stated, "This is unacceptable of anyone — certainly not an elected official — and must be taken seriously." Fifty-five of Swalwell's former staffers also signed a letter urging him to resign, declaring, "No one is above the law."
Swalwell's colleagues expressed outrage over the allegations. Rep. Ro Khanna described the accusations as "sick and disgusting," while Rep. Jared Huffman stated that Swalwell's actions amounted to an abuse of power. Huffman noted, "He must now drop out of the Governor’s race and resign from Congress." The swift condemnation from fellow Democrats reflects a growing demand for accountability in the wake of serious misconduct allegations.
In response to the allegations, Swalwell has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, labeling the accusations as politically motivated. He stated, "These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor." Swalwell also indicated that he would consider legal action against the accusers. Despite suspending his campaign, he has not indicated plans to resign from his congressional seat, which has led to further calls for his expulsion from the House.
Swalwell's withdrawal reshapes the competitive field for the California gubernatorial race, which includes several notable candidates such as billionaire businessman Tom Steyer and former Congresswoman Katie Porter. His exit may consolidate support around other Democratic candidates, potentially altering the dynamics of the upcoming primary. Concerns about vote-splitting among Democrats could allow Republican candidates to advance in a state that typically leans Democratic.
As investigations continue, the political ramifications for Swalwell and the Democratic Party could be significant. The Manhattan District Attorney's Office is actively pursuing the allegations, while discussions of a potential House expulsion vote loom. Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna has announced plans to bring this motion to the floor, signaling a bipartisan push for accountability. The unfolding situation remains fluid as the governor's race approaches, with broader implications for both Swalwell's future in politics and the Democratic Party's integrity.
Highlighted text was flagged by the council. Tap to see feedback.
The sources also report that one of the women, Ally Sammarco, accused Swalwell of sending her inappropriate messages and an unsolicited nude picture in 2021.