Senator Ruben Gallego Withdraws Support as Sexual Misconduct Allegations Destabilize Eric Swalwell’s Gubernatorial Bid

Senator Ruben Gallego joins Democratic leaders in pulling support for Eric Swalwell as serious misconduct allegations roil the California governor race.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 11, 2026, 8:59 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Yahoo News

A Sudden Collapse of Political Alliances

The gubernatorial ambitions of Representative Eric Swalwell faced a catastrophic blow on Friday as Senator Ruben Gallego joined a growing list of prominent Democrats withdrawing their formal support. Gallego, who had previously defended the California congressman on social media, reversed his position after reviewing reports detailing allegations of sexual misconduct brought forward by multiple women. According to Gallego, the accounts described in recent reporting are fundamentally indefensible, and he expressed deep regret for his earlier public defense of the candidate. This defection marks a significant shift in the race, as Gallego was considered a key regional ally for the Swalwell campaign.

The Weight of Serious Criminal Accusations

The primary catalyst for this political exodus stems from a series of investigative reports by CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle, which include a harrowing account from a former staff member. This individual alleged that the congressman raped her while she was incapacitated by alcohol, a claim that Swalwell has vehemently denied as flatly false. Other women have come forward with claims of receiving unsolicited nude images and experiencing unwanted physical contact during interactions with the politician. The severity of these claims has led to an immediate freeze on the campaign’s financial infrastructure, with the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue halting all donations to his page.

Leadership Demands an Immediate Exit

The pressure for Swalwell to abandon his candidacy has moved beyond his immediate staff to the highest echelons of the Democratic Party. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries have both issued calls for the congressman to terminate his bid for the governor’s office. Representative Adam Schiff, a powerful figure in California politics, also withdrew his endorsement and urged a swift exit from the race. Even within his own campaign, the infrastructure is dissolving, as campaign co-chair Jimmy Gomez resigned his post, stating that he could not in good conscience remain associated with the effort following the disclosure of these accusations.