BY MIRABEL ODETA
U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell announced on Sunday that he is suspending his campaign for governor of California, as pressure intensifies from fellow lawmakers and former staffers calling for his resignation from Congress over allegations of sexual assault.
In a message shared on X, Swalwell expressed regret over past actions, stating he was “deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment” without providing further details. He also made clear that he intends to challenge the allegations, describing them as serious but false. However, he emphasized that addressing the accusations would be a personal matter rather than something tied to his political campaign.
Notably, his statement did not respond to the growing calls for him to step down from his position in the United States Congress. His congressional office has not publicly commented further on the situation.
Swalwell, once considered a leading contender in the California gubernatorial race, halted his campaign shortly after reports emerged from San Francisco Chronicle and CNN. According to those reports, a former employee in his district office accused him of two nonconsensual sexual encounters. Additional reporting indicated that three other women have also made allegations of sexual misconduct against the congressman.
Swalwell, who has represented a California district in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013, has firmly denied all accusations, calling them “absolutely false” and pledging to fight them.
The controversy has prompted swift reactions from other Democratic lawmakers. Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, and Eugene Vindman each publicly stated in televised interviews that Swalwell should resign from Congress. Their comments reflect a broader concern within the party about accountability and public trust.
Further intensifying the pressure, more than 50 former staff members of Swalwell signed an open letter urging him to resign from Congress and withdraw from the governor’s race. The letter described the allegations as serious and credible, arguing that remaining in office while the accusations remain unresolved undermines those who have worked with him.
Under California’s election system, the top two candidates in the June 2 open primary would advance to the general election in November, regardless of party affiliation. Other Democratic figures in the race include Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, and Matt Mahan, all of whom continue their campaigns as Swalwell steps aside.
Separately, federal authorities have begun examining additional allegations involving Swalwell. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed that it reviewed claims that he may have improperly employed a Brazilian nanny, referring the matter to the Department of Homeland Security for further investigation. No public response has yet been issued by Swalwell’s office regarding this inquiry.
At the same time, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office has confirmed it is investigating the sexual assault allegations, adding another layer of legal scrutiny to the unfolding situation.
In Congress, discussions have moved beyond resignation to the possibility of formal expulsion. Representative Byron Donalds, along with Jayapal, indicated they would support a vote to expel Swalwell if such a motion is introduced. Representative Anna Paulina Luna has already announced plans to file such a motion, signaling that the issue could soon escalate into a formal legislative process.
The situation has also drawn attention to broader concerns about misconduct in Congress. Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is facing separate scrutiny over alleged ethics violations tied to misuse of pandemic relief funds, while Representative Tony Gonzales is under investigation for unrelated sexual misconduct allegations. Some lawmakers have argued that accountability should be applied consistently across party lines.
As the controversy unfolds, Swalwell faces mounting legal, political, and public pressure. His decision to suspend his gubernatorial campaign marks a significant shift, but questions about his future in Congress—and the outcome of multiple investigations—remain unresolved.
Original article
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