Eric Swalwell steps back from race as dozens of former staff call for investigation and resignation following multiple claims of harassment and assault.
Democratic congressman Eric Swalwell has suspended his campaign for governor of California after facing a series of sexual misconduct allegations, saying he would address the claims outside the political arena.
In a post on the social media platform X, Swalwell said he was pausing his bid in order to focus on contesting what he described as “serious false accusations.”
“I am suspending my campaign for governor,” he wrote. “I will fight these serious false allegations, but that is my fight, not the campaign’s.”
The congressman also apologised to his family, staff and supporters for what he called “errors in judgement” in his past conduct.
Pressure on Swalwell had intensified earlier, when more than 50 former staff members issued a joint statement urging him to withdraw from the race and resign from Congress. The group called for a “full and thorough investigation” into multiple allegations of sexual harassment.
“No one is above the law. Not a congressman. Not a candidate for governor. No one,” the statement said.
The initial accusations were reported last week by the San Francisco Chronicle. In the article, a former aide alleged that Swalwell sexually assaulted her in a New York hotel room in 2024. She claimed she was too intoxicated to give consent and that the congressman ignored her attempts to resist.
Further allegations emerged after CNN reported that three additional women had accused Swalwell of misconduct, including sending explicit messages and photographs without consent.
Swalwell has repeatedly denied all allegations. Prosecutors in Manhattan confirmed they have begun reviewing the sexual assault claim first detailed by the San Francisco Chronicle.
