Eric Swalwell drops bid for California governor amid sexual assault claims

Rep. Eric Swalwell announced on Sunday, April 12, that he is suspending his campaign for California governor after several women accused him of sexual assault and misconduct.

"I am suspending my campaign for Governor. To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made − but that's my fight, not a campaign's," the Democratic congressman said in a statement on X.

The announcement comes after several prominent Democrats withdrew their support for the congressman and called on Swalwell, the Democratic front-runner in the polls, to drop out of California's gubernatorial race. Last week, the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN reported that a woman who had worked in Swalwell's district office accused him of two nonconsensual sexual encounters.

CNN also reported that three other women accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct. He has denied the allegations, calling them "absolutely false" and vowing to fight them.

Swalwell, 45, was first elected to Congress in 2012, representing a Northern California district just outside Oakland, where he was a prosecutor in Alameda County. He was a long-shot candidate in the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries before dropping out and endorsing the eventual winner, Joe Biden.

Democrats urged Swalwell to end his bid for California governor

In a statement April 10, three Democratic House leaders − Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, whip Katherine Clark and caucus chair Pete Aguilar − urged Swalwell to end his bid for governor. They also called for an investigation into the allegations by the former staffer and the three other women.

"Following the incredibly disturbing sexual assault accusations against Congressman Eric Swalwell, we call for a swift investigation into these incidents and for the Congressman to immediately end his campaign to be California’s next Governor," the Democrats said in the statement. "This is unacceptable of anyone − certainly not an elected official − and must be taken seriously."

Separately, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said she advised Swalwell to step aside in the race to replace Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, who will term out in 2027.

"The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard. This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability," Pelosi said in a statement. "As I discussed with Congressman Swalwell, it is clear that is best done outside of a gubernatorial campaign."

In separate television interviews April 12, Democratic Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna and Eugene Vindman said Swalwell should quit Congress. An open letter released later April 12 and signed by more than 50 of Swalwell's staffers also called on him to resign from Congress and drop out of the California gubernatorial race, calling the allegations serious and credible.

Manhattan district attorney opens investigation into Swalwell

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed April 11 that it was investigating the sexual assault allegations against Swalwell, according to Reuters.

The New York Times reported that the district attorney’s office was looking into an allegation that Swalwell assaulted a woman in New York City in 2024. The accusation comes from a former staff member, according to The Washington Post.

Reuters also reported that the Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said it is investigating allegations that Swalwell illegally employed a Brazilian nanny. Politico first reported on that inquiry.

"These allegations are serious. USCIS has referred this matter to the Department of Homeland Security law enforcement for investigation," a USCIS spokesperson told Reuters in a statement.

Contributing: Terry Collins and Noe Padilla, USA TODAY; Reuters