Weeks ahead of California’s critical gubernatorial primary election, Democratic U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell has announced he is ending his campaign for governor, caving to mounting pressure from party allies following multiple sexual misconduct claims leveled against him by four women. The allegations against the congressman span a spectrum of serious accusations, from unwanted sexual harassment to violent rape. Swalwell has repeatedly and vehemently denied all of the claims, saying he is prepared to clear his name using verifiable facts. Even as the candidate pushed back against the accusations, his closest political allies within the Democratic Party ramped up calls for his withdrawal from the race. Before his exit, Swalwell was widely viewed as one of the leading contenders for the Democratic nomination in the open primary to fill the seat being vacated by outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom. The race for governor of California, the most populous state in the United States, has been a wide-open contest with no clear favorite from the start. Swalwell’s departure comes at a make-or-break juncture, just a few weeks before mail-in ballots are distributed to registered voters across the state ahead of the June 2 primary election. In a public statement posted to the social media platform X, Swalwell confirmed the end of his gubernatorial bid. “I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” he wrote. Addressing his loved ones, campaign team, supporters, and friends, he added: “I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.” Swalwell emphasized that while he will continue to work aggressively to refute what he calls the false serious accusations against him, this legal and personal battle should not distract from the state’s gubernatorial race. “That’s my fight, not a campaign’s,” he concluded.
Congressman Eric Swalwell drops out of California governor’s race amid abuse claims
