Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell ends bid for California governor as he faces sexual assault allegations

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his bid for California governor on Sunday as he faced growing pressure to end his campaign amid allegations of sexual assault. 

“I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” Swalwell wrote on social media. “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.”

Swalwell denied the allegations Friday after a former staffer accused him of sexually assaulting her twice when she was too drunk to consent, among other alleged misconduct. 

Swalwell called the allegations “false” and suggested they were politically motivated. He threatened to take legal action against the unnamed woman, who detailed the alleged encounters to the San Francisco Chronicle, which published a story Friday. 

The calls from Democrats to end his campaign were swift. Swalwell, who had won the backing of many of the state’s top Democrats, lost their support as they expressed horror at the accusations. 

In a statement Friday night, House Democratic leaders had called for Swalwell to immediately end his campaign, but stopped short of urging him to resign from Congress. 

“This is unacceptable of anyone — certainly not an elected official — and must be taken seriously,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California said. “All perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment must be held accountable.”

California’s two Democratic senators, Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, also called on Swalwell to withdraw. Schiff said he was “deeply distressed” by the accusations.