Eric Swalwell, the California congressman, has suspended his campaign for governor. The abrupt withdrawal, announced Sunday, follows a string of allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Swalwell continues to deny the accusations leveled against him.
The congressman's campaign, launched earlier this year, became untenable after reports surfaced on Friday detailing accusations from former staffers and other women. These claims include allegations of sexual assault and the distribution of unsolicited explicit photos and messages.
Fallout and Denials
While Swalwell stated he was suspending his gubernatorial bid, he also indicated an intention to fight the allegations. In a statement posted on X, he offered an apology to his family, staff, friends, and supporters for "mistakes in judgment" in his past, but framed the current accusations as part of a separate battle.
Several prominent political figures, including fellow California Democrats Jared Huffman, Ro Khanna, and Sam Liccardo, called for Swalwell's resignation from his House seat.
Anna Paulina Luna, a Republican from Florida, has announced plans to initiate proceedings for Swalwell's expulsion from the House of Representatives.
Jimmy Gomez, who managed Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign, has already stepped down from his role.
The California Democratic Party has confirmed that the deadline has passed to remove Swalwell's name from the primary election ballot, meaning he will remain a candidate in that contest.
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Background
Swalwell, a married father of three, had positioned himself as a centrist candidate during his run for governor. The allegations, which emerged over the weekend, rapidly undermined his campaign efforts and institutional support.
