Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California said Sunday that he is suspending his campaign for governor following a series of sexual misconduct allegations that surfaced in recent days, quickly reshaping the race to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.
In a statement posted to X, Swalwell apologized to those around him while also pushing back on the claims. “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,” he wrote.
He added that he intends to contest the allegations but said doing so should not be tied to an ongoing campaign. “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s,” he said.
The decision follows accusations from multiple women, including a former staffer who alleged that Swalwell engaged in sexual activity with her while she was unable to consent. According to her account, the incident took place after a 2024 charity event. She told CNN she had been drinking and later woke up in a hotel room with the congressman. “I was pushing him off of me, saying no,” she said. “He didn’t stop.”
That allegation is now under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s office. A separate claim, tied to an incident in 2019, is also being reviewed by prosecutors in Alameda County, California. In that case, the same staffer said she woke up next to Swalwell naked in his hotel room while she was working in his district office.
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.
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) April 13, 2026
Another woman, Democratic social media figure Ally Sammarco, accused Swalwell of sending unsolicited explicit messages. She told CNN that their interactions escalated over time, describing messages she received as increasingly inappropriate, including comments about her appearance and suggestions that they meet up.
As the accusations became public, pressure mounted within Swalwell’s own party. Several Democrats called on him to step aside from the gubernatorial race, arguing that the allegations made it difficult for him to continue as a candidate in a high-profile statewide contest.
The situation also revived scrutiny over past controversies. In 2023, then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy removed Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee, citing concerns that included his past association with Christine Fang, a woman reported to have ties to Chinese intelligence. Swalwell has denied wrongdoing in that matter.
With multiple investigations now underway and political support eroding, Swalwell’s decision to suspend his campaign marks a significant shift in the race to replace Newsom. What comes next will likely depend on the outcomes of those inquiries, as well as how Democratic voters and party leaders respond in the weeks ahead.
