Eric Swalwell Suspends California Governor Campaign Following Sexual Assault Allegations

US Representative Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor on April 13, 2026, following a series of sexual assault and misconduct allegations from multiple women that prompted swift backlash from supporters, staff, and labor groups.^[1][2] According to Bloomberg, the accusations threw his bid into turmoil, causing backers to abandon him, while The Independent reported that a former staffer and three other women accused him of repeated unwanted sexual advances.^[1][2]

The allegations surfaced prominently in reports by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN, detailing claims from a former congressional staffer who said Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice—once in 2019 when she was 21 and newly hired in his Castro Valley district office, and again in April 2024 in a New York City hotel room after she had been drinking heavily.^[1][3] POLITICO covered an unsigned statement from Swalwell's former staffers expressing horror at the reports, stating they supported the women and were "appalled by his actions."^[1] ABC7 noted these were the first direct public accusations, following weeks of unverified social media rumors about inappropriate behavior with female staffers.^[3]

Swalwell vehemently denied the claims, calling them "flat false" in a social media video where he apologized to his wife for unspecified "mistakes in judgment" from his past.^[1][2][3] His attorney did not immediately respond to inquiries, and the congressman had vowed to fight the allegations while staying in the race—until the mounting pressure forced a reversal.^[1] FOX40 and KTVU FOX 2 reported the suspension came amid statewide backlash just weeks before the primary election.^[2]

Key endorsements evaporated rapidly: the California Labor Federation unanimously withdrew support, with leader Lorena Gonzalez emphasizing duty to workers over any politician, and SEIU California urged Swalwell to end his campaign immediately to foster safer workplaces.^[1] Bay Area representatives Sam Liccardo and Jared Huffman called for him to step down from Congress, while Democratic Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal backed efforts to expel him from the House.^[2] Even an event planned with Assembly Member Tina McKinnor in Los Angeles fell into doubt after she pulled her backing.^[3]

Adding to the fallout, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office announced it is investigating the 2024 hotel incident claim from the former staffer, as reported by ABC7 and The New York Times.^[3][2] Swalwell remains a Bay Area lawmaker, but the probe and staff revolt have intensified calls for his resignation beyond the gubernatorial race.^[2]

This scandal affects California's wide-open governor's race, where Swalwell had secured early labor backing before it crumbled, potentially reshaping the Democratic primary field.^[1] Voters, staffers, and political allies face disrupted plans, while the women accusers highlight workplace power dynamics in politics.^[1][3] No timeline has been set for the DA investigation's outcome, and Swalwell's congressional future hangs in balance amid expulsion talks.^[2]