Swalwell Suspends California Governor Campaign Amid Allegations

California Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for governor on Sunday evening, April 13, 2026, following a series of sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women that emerged publicly on Friday. The decision came amid a swift backlash, including the withdrawal of support from key backers and an ongoing criminal investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's office.

Swalwell, who represents California's 14th Congressional District, announced the suspension in a statement expressing regret for past errors in judgment while denying the accusations. "To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," he said. "I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made, but that's my fight, not a campaign's." Despite the withdrawal, his name will remain on the June 2 primary ballot, as he exited after the deadline for removal.

The allegations, first detailed in reports from the San Francisco Chronicle, involve at least four women who knew or worked with Swalwell. One former staffer, who served from 2019 to 2021, claimed he sexually assaulted her twice while she was too intoxicated to...