Representative Eric Swalwell Withdraws From California Gubernatorial Race Following Allegations of Sexual Assault

Eric Swalwell exits the California governor race as the Manhattan DA investigates sexual assault allegations. Read the full details of the campaign suspension.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 5:32 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Al Jazeera

Swalwell Abandons Gubernatorial Ambitions Amid Misconduct Scandal

US Representative Eric Swalwell has officially terminated his bid for the California governorship following a series of damaging allegations regarding past conduct. In a statement released on Sunday, the Democratic lawmaker apologized for "mistakes in judgment" while simultaneously vowing to contest the specific claims of sexual assault. According to campaign reports, the decision to withdraw was framed as a necessity to prevent personal legal battles from overshadowing the broader political race to succeed outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom.

Media Reports Detail Alleged Assault and Workplace Misconduct

The campaign's collapse was precipitated by investigative reports from CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle, which provided detailed accounts of alleged sexual assault involving a former staff member. Additionally, the reports included various misconduct claims from several other women, creating a wave of scrutiny that Swalwell’s team was unable to contain. These allegations transformed the congressman from a frontrunner in recent polling into a political liability within the span of a single weekend.

Bipartisan Calls for Congressional Expulsion Intensify

The fallout from the reports has transcended the gubernatorial race, with lawmakers from both parties now questioning Swalwell’s fitness to remain in the United States Congress. Representative Ro Khanna described the detailed accounts as "disgusting" and called for immediate investigations by law enforcement and the House of Representatives. Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna has indicated plans to submit a motion for Swalwell’s expulsion, a move that some high-ranking Democrats have signaled they may support given the severity of the claims.