In a surprising turn of events, Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell has withdrawn from the California gubernatorial race and announced his intention to resign from Congress. This decision has left his competitors in a flurry as they vie for the support of his former backers in an already crowded race, further complicating the contest to govern the most populous state in the U.S.

Swalwell’s withdrawal came shortly after allegations surfaced, accusing him of sexually assaulting a woman on two occasions, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and subsequently CNN. Despite suspending his campaign, Swalwell took to the social platform X to assert his innocence, stating, “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made – but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”

In a follow-up statement on the same platform, Swalwell announced his plan to step down from Congress, although he did not specify a timeline for his departure. He expressed that it would be unjust for his constituents to have a representative who is preoccupied with personal issues.

The primary concern for other candidates in the race is determining where Swalwell’s supporters will redirect their allegiance. Swalwell was a significant figure among Democrats, with the primary election slated for June 2 and mail ballots to be distributed to voters in early May. All major candidates are set to participate in a forum in Sacramento on Tuesday.

Prominent Democrat Katie Porter shared a quote from a San Francisco Chronicle column on X, emphasizing that “Democrats can pull victory from the jaws of defeat by coalescing around Porter.” Meanwhile, Tom Steyer, a billionaire hedge fund manager turned liberal activist, announced he has gained the endorsement of Representative Jared Huffman, whose district is close to Swalwell’s. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa launched a new advertisement pledging to tackle the high cost of living in California by lowering gas and grocery prices.

With a primary ballot featuring over 50 candidates, including seven notable Democrats and two leading Republicans, the race remains unpredictable. Although Swalwell has halted his campaign, his name will still appear on the ballot.

“Nobody has really caught fire,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta, who is not involved in the campaign. Swalwell’s supporters “will scatter out to other candidates.”

Many voters remain distant from governor’s race

Swalwell is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial during his first term in early 2021. But in a media environment dominated by Trump, the race remains distant from many California voters.

After the publicity about sexual misconduct allegations, “I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper,” Acosta added.

Swalwell was considered a leading contender along with fellow Democrats Steyer and Porter and two Republicans, Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and conservative commentator Steve Hilton, who landed Trump’s endorsement. But Republican activists haven’t yet rallied around Hilton; at a California Republican Party convention over the weekend the party declined to endorse.

Democrats have feared the party’s large number of candidates could lead to them getting shut out of the general election in November. That’s because California has a top-two primary system in which two candidates advance to the general election, regardless of party.

Swalwell had become a clear target for his Democratic rivals as he began to lock up institutional support. Some had seized on rumors of sexual misconduct that circulated on social media for weeks before the Chronicle’s report.

The San Francisco Chronicle spoke to a woman who alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024. The woman said she did not go to police at the time of the assaults because she was afraid she would not be believed. In both cases the woman said she was too intoxicated to consent to sex. CNN reported on allegations that appeared to come from the same woman, and spoke to several other women who accused Swalwell of other sexual misconduct.

Neither outlet named the woman, and The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify her account and identity. Her lawyer declined to comment.

The alleged 2024 incident occurred in New York, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said it’s investigating. That office urged anyone with knowledge to contact its special victims division. The Alameda County District Attorney’s office, which covers Swalwell’s California district, said no one has reached out to the office with allegations against Swalwell.

House colleagues call for Swalwell to resign

As Swalwell’s campaign flailed over the weekend, Huffman and fellow California Reps. Ro Khanna and Sam Liccardo said Swalwell should resign, as did Reps. Teresa Leger Fernández of New Mexico and Pramila Jayapal of Washington state.

“This is not a partisan issue,” Jayapal said Sunday. “This cuts across party lines. And it is depravity of the way that women have been treated.”

Some representatives said they would support the rare step of expelling him from the U.S. House should he refuse to step aside. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation Monday.

It all added to the mounting political pressure on Swalwell, which began with allies like Sen. Adam Schiff and Rep. Jimmy Gomez cutting their support. Gomez had helped run Swalwell’s campaign and said he was immediately ending his role.

Swalwell, who is originally from Iowa, was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters.

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Associated Press writer Sophie Austin in Sacramento contributed.