Eric Swalwell has put his campaign for California governor on hold in response to sexual assault allegations.
The Democratic congressman decided to withdraw from the gubernatorial race following an appeal from 50 former staff members. These individuals joined a rising number of politicians urging him to step down from his congressional role and end his campaign for governor.
“I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” Swalwell announced in a statement shared on X.
“To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” he expressed.
He further stated, “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”
Swalwell did not clarify whether he plans to retain his congressional seat.
The bombshell move comes after a woman who worked for two years for Swalwell claimed she had sexual encounters with him while he was her boss.
She alleged that the married Swalwell raped her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent in 2019 and 2024. She was one of four women to make allegations against the aspiring governor.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced that an investigation has been launched into Swalwell following the allegations. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office in California also told the Los Angeles Times on Saturday that it is evaluating ‘whether any alleged criminal conduct occurred’ in the Bay Area.
Swalwell dropped out of the race after 50 former members of his staff joined a growing chorus calling for him to resign from his position in Congress and drop out of the governor’s race
The congressman did not say whether he intends to keep his position on Capital Hill.
Swalwell addressed wife Brittany Watts in the video, saying that he apologizes to her
Swalwell issued a video denying the women’s claims on Friday, calling the reports ‘flat false.’
Swalwell also addressed wife Brittany Watts in the video, saying that he apologizes to her ‘deeply for putting her in this position.’
He also suggested a conspiracy, pointing out that they were released ‘on the eve of’ the June 2 primary, in which he claimed to be ‘the frontrunner,’ though Real Clear Politics’ average shows him trailing Republican Steve Hilton in the primary.
The allegations began with claims from a former staffer who alleged she was raped by Swalwell when she was too intoxicated to consent.
She told CNN that in April 2024, after a night of heavy drinking in New York City, she woke up to Swalwell having sex with her in his hotel bed.
‘I was pushing him off of me, saying no,’ she said, adding that it happened after she stopped working in his office. ‘He didn’t stop.’
At least four women have now accused the Congressman of sexual misconduct, including the former staffer.
Another of the alleged victims, Ally Sammarco, went on the record with CNN and alleged that the gubernatorial candidate sent her unsolicited nude messages.
The DC-based political content creator messaged Swalwell in 2021 in hopes of discussing politics.
One accuser Ally Sammarco went on the record with CNN. Her husband, Adam Parkhomenko, has supported her via social media
Sammarco claimed that Swalwell set her unsolicited nude photos and ‘became very inappropriate’ over text
The 28-year-old said the congressman ‘became very inappropriate, like saying about how hot he thought I was, insinuating we should get together and hook up.’
‘I thought I was the only one that had this experience with him,’ she told NBC.
‘These people have authority, and they’re abusing it. I want to validate what these women are saying, and I feel like he needs a public reckoning in some way, or he’s just going to continue doing this.’
She was supported by her husband, Adam Parkhomenko, who took aim at Swalwell following his video denial.
Several Swalwell supporters have since renounced their endorsements of him and implored him to drop his bid to replace Gavin Newsom. Among the most high-profile voices was Speaker Emerita Pelosi.
Democratic leadership, including Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar also issued a statement calling for an investigation into the allegations as House ethics rule bar members from having sex with subordinates.
Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna, of Florida, has also announced plans to force a House vote to expel Swalwell, a motion supported by some Democrats.
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi called on Eric Swalwell to drop out of the race to replace Gavin Newsom after a former staffer accused him of sexual assault which he denies
According to a spokesperson for Pelosi, she called for the ‘extremely sensitive allegations’ to be ‘appropriately investigated.’
‘The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard,’ she said.
Bracing for allegations to surface, his Democratic opponents had already started attacking the congressman, suggesting he’s a hypocrite for slamming men like Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, whose confirmation was nearly derailed by sexual misconduct allegations.
Others have withdrawn their endorsements and support of Swalwell just months ahead of the gubernatorial primary in June, including multiple senators.
Then on Sunday, 50 former members of Swalwell’s staff called on him to resign from his position in the House, calling the allegations against him ‘serious [and] credible’ and saying they ‘demand accountability.’
‘The people of California’s 14th Congressional District and the people of this country deserve representation from someone whose conduct reflects the values of public service,’ the former staff members said in a joint statement.
‘Remaining in either role while these allegations hang unresolved is an insult to every person who has ever worked for him, reported to him or placed their trust in him.’
The staffers then addressed their co-worker who first came forward with the allegations.
‘To our colleague: you are not alone. We see you. We stand with you. We are deeply sorry that we did not know what you were enduring and we carry the weight of that with us.
‘Your bravery in speaking out has given voice to what many victims have feared to say and we are grateful for your courage,’ they continued.
‘We are appalled by his actions and stand firmly with you and every victim who has come forward.
‘Justice is not optional,’ they concluded. ‘Accountability is not negotiable. We will not be silent.’
