In brief
Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell has announced he is stepping down from Congress and his gubernatorial campaign amid serious allegations of sexual misconduct, which he firmly denies. The allegations, including sexual assault claims from a former employee, led to a swift withdrawal of support for his campaign. Following his announcement, the political landscape for California's upcoming governor election remains uncertain as other candidates seek to capture the support that Swalwell had among voters.
Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell has announced his exit from both Congress and the competitive race for California governor amidst serious sexual assault allegations, which he denies. This decision follows a swift decline in support from his allies and voters.
Just days earlier, Swalwell was seen as a major contender in the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cannot run for a third term. However, after allegations surfaced detailing incidents of sexual assault against a former employee, Swalwell's campaign dramatically unraveled.
Swalwell suspended his campaign over the weekend, asserting, I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s. The scandal has opened doors for rivals like former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer to capitalize on Swalwell’s departure as the primaries approach.
Following the reports, additional women have come forward with allegations regarding inappropriate messages and unsolicited photos attributed to Swalwell, intensifying the scrutiny he faces. As Swalwell prepares to leave Congress, the future of a special election in his district remains uncertain.
The California governor's race is expected to change dramatically, with several Democratic candidates competing against notable Republicans, raising fears among party members about splitting the vote. Swalwell's exit narrows the competition among top Democrats, but the primary ballot will still reflect his name.
Swalwell, who has represented a congressional district east of San Francisco since 2012, previously attempted a presidential run in 2019 but withdrew shortly after.
