Rep. Eric Swalwell ended his campaign for California governor days after he was accused by former staffers in news reports of sexual assault and misconduct.
“To my family, staff, friends and supporters, I am deeply sorry for the mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell said on Sunday, April 12.
“I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not the campaign’s,” he added.
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.
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) April 13, 2026
Swalwell had been facing calls from allies and Democratic opponents in the gubernatorial contest to drop out of the race and resign from Congress. His statement on Sunday did not address those requests for him to leave his congressional post.
On Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle detailed allegations made by a former staffer of multiple instances of sexual harassment and assault during her time working for Swalwell in his Castro Valley district office. In one instance, after she no longer worked for him, she alleged that she met Swalwell for drinks in 2024. She said she became so intoxicated that she blacked out for portions of the night, but recalled telling him “no,” yet he allegedly forced himself on her, she said.
CNN later reported that four women have accused Swalwell of various instances of sexual misconduct and abuse, including sending unwanted nude photos and raping a former staffer when she was intoxicated, an allegation that matches the Chronicle’s report.
Earlier Sunday, before Swalwell exited the race for governor, more than 50 former staffers publicly signed onto a letter calling on law enforcement to investigate the allegations and asking the congressman not only to withdraw from the race but also to resign from the U.S. House of Representatives.
“What has been described is not a political attack,” the staffers said. “It is the account of a young woman who trusted her employer, who was targeted and exploited by someone in a position of power over her, and who has carried this burden for years.”
“The corroboration reported by both outlets, including medical records and multiple witnesses, makes clear that this cannot be dismissed or deflected,” they said. “No statement, no cease-and-desist letter, and no claim of political motivation changes what our colleague experienced.”
Since the allegations were reported on Friday, Swalwell quickly lost endorsements and backers. Rep. Jimmy Gomez, a Los Angeles Democrat who was named chair of his campaign in December, was among the first to resign and call for Swalwell to quit the race.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who hasn’t endorsed in the race, too, said the “serious allegations” must be investigated. She said she spoke to Swalwell and suggested that it be done “outside of a gubernatorial campaign.”
While there has been a decided lack of a real frontrunner in the campaign for California’s next chief executive, Swalwell has been polling toward the top of the pack.
A UC Berkeley Institute of Government Studies survey of registered voters in March showed former Fox News Host Steve Hilton in the lead with 17% support, followed closely by fellow Republican, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, at 16%.
Then came the Democratic candidates: Both Swalwell and former Rep. Katie Porter had 13% each, followed by billionaire environmentalist Tom Steyer at 10%.
From there, former U.S. Housing and Human Service Secretary Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former state Controller Betty Yee polled at 5% or lower.
All of those Democratic contenders had quickly called on Swalwell to quit the race and praised the women who came forward.
The Chronicle recounted the allegations of a woman — who was not named because of a policy against outing alleged victims of sexual abuse — who worked for Swalwell in 2019, when the first alleged assault occurred, and a 2024 assault that allegedly occurred after a charity gala. She said in both cases she was too intoxicated to consent to sex.
The alleged 2024 incident occurred in New York, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said Saturday that it was investigating. The DA’s office urged anyone with knowledge to contact its special victims division.
Swalwell posted a video to social media on Friday evening denying the allegations as “flat false.”
“I will fight them with everything that I have,” Swalwell said. “They (the accusations) also come on the eve of an election where I have been the frontrunner candidate for governor of California.”
“I do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or I’m a saint,” he continued. “I’ve certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past. But those mistakes are between me and my wife, and to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.”
Swalwell on Sunday did not say whether he would resign from Congress. A spokesperson did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, has said she will file a motion in the House to expel Swalwell from the House.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.