OAN Staff Addie Davis
11:55 AM – Monday, April 13, 2026
Democrat Representative Eric Swalwell has announced that he is officially dropping out of the race for California governor. This comes amid a growing number of sexual assault and misconduct allegations against the congressman.
“I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” Swalwell (D-Calif.) posted to X on Sunday. “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past he continued.
Just days prior, on Friday, Swalwell pointedly denied any sexual assault allegations.
“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false…They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything that I have,” he said in a social media video. “They also come on the eve of an election where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor in California.”
However, by Sunday, he continued to insist the accusations were false — even as he announced his withdrawal from the race.
“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 San Francisco Chronicle was the first to report the allegations, in which a former Swalwell staffer accused the congressman of sexually assaulting her. She alleged that in both instances she was severely intoxicated, openly, and was therefore unable to consent.
Following the report’s publication, the claims quickly triggered a cascade of consequences. Several prominent supporters, including U.S. representatives and co-chairs of Swalwell’s campaign, withdrew their endorsements.
The outlet published a detailed report based on accusations from a former staffer who worked in Swalwell’s East Bay congressional district office. She claimed that Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions — once in 2019 while she was employed by him, when she was 21 at the time, as well as in 2024, after she had left his office.
Both times she was severely intoxicated and unable to consent.
The Chronicle reportedly reviewed text messages, medical records, and spoke with individuals she had confided in contemporaneously. In addition, later that day, CNN expanded the story, reporting that three additional women had accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including unwanted advances, intoxicated encounters, and sending unsolicited explicit photos or messages.
This past Saturday, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) also announced on X that she would introduce a motion to expel Swalwell from the House. Other lawmakers have also publicly called for his expulsion or immediate resignation.
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