Swalwell Quits Governor Race Over Assault Claims, Sparking Political Fallout

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his bid for California governor on Sunday, citing sexual assault allegations from a former staffer. In a social media post, Swalwell wrote, "I am suspending my campaign for Governor," and added, "To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past." The decision followed accusations that Swalwell sexually assaulted the woman twice when she was too drunk to consent, claims he called "false" and politically motivated.

A former staffer detailed to the San Francisco Chronicle that Swalwell assaulted her while she worked in his office from 2019 until 2021. The Chronicle reviewed text messages where the woman told a friend she asked Swalwell to stop, and interviewed her then-boyfriend who confirmed she reported the incident. Swalwell denied the allegations in a statement to the Chronicle and threatened legal action against the accuser, while CNN reported similar claims from four women, including one alleging unsolicited photos.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts, and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California urged Swalwell to end his campaign in a Friday statement, saying, "All perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment must be held accountable." California Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla also called for his withdrawal, with Schiff expressing he was "deeply distressed" by the accusations. Fifty-five former staffers signed a public letter demanding Swalwell resign from Congress, writing, "We stand unequivocally with our colleague, who showed extraordinary courage in coming forward to share her truth."

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, announced plans to force a House vote to expel Swalwell as early as midweek, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass. Democrats like Rep. Jared Huffman of California joined the calls, stating on social media that Swalwell admitted to "a per se abuse of power under House ethics rules." The Manhattan District Attorney's Office confirmed it is investigating the allegations, asking survivors to contact them for a trauma-informed process.

Swalwell's departure leaves the June 2 primary wide open, where he had been a top-polling Democrat alongside candidates like former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra. Becerra called Swalwell's exit "the right thing to do," while San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, another contender, said on social media that Swalwell is "done" and unfit for office. This shakeup could split the Democratic vote, potentially allowing Republican candidates to advance in the state's top-two primary system, affecting who leads California's 39 million residents.