By Gloria Ogbonna
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has announced that he is suspending his campaign for governor of California, just days after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct, including allegations of sexual assault. The decision marks a dramatic turn in what had been a closely watched gubernatorial race and has triggered significant political repercussions within the Democratic Party.
In a statement posted on X, Swalwell acknowledged what he described as “mistakes in judgment” in his past while forcefully denying the most serious claims against him.
“I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” Swalwell wrote. “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.”
He added, “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”
Swalwell’s announcement came after a former staffer gave detailed allegations to the San Francisco Chronicle, claiming the congressman sexually assaulted her on multiple occasions, including incidents in 2019 and 2024. According to the woman, who worked for Swalwell and is 17 years younger than him, the alleged misconduct began with unwanted advances during professional interactions.
She told the newspaper that on one occasion in 2019, after driving Swalwell home from a donor event, he allegedly attempted to kiss her in her car. Weeks later, while driving him to another event, she claimed Swalwell exposed himself and asked her to perform oral sex, which she says occurred in a parking lot.
The woman further alleged that in September 2019, Swalwell invited her out for drinks, after which she became heavily intoxicated and does not recall the remainder of the evening.
She said she later woke up naked in a hotel bed with Swalwell and felt she had engaged in intercourse, though she could not remember consenting. Following that encounter, she claimed, Swalwell distanced himself from her and their professional relationship gradually dissolved.
Five years later, in April 2024, the woman said she attended a charity gala where Swalwell was being honored. Though she no longer worked for him, she alleged that after meeting for drinks following the event, she again became highly intoxicated and remembers only fragments of the evening. She stated that she recalled telling him “No” and pushing him away while he allegedly forced himself on her.
The former staffer also shared her allegations with CNN, and three additional women have since accused Swalwell of various forms of sexual misconduct, further intensifying scrutiny surrounding the congressman.
The allegations have prompted swift political fallout. Several prominent Democrats withdrew their endorsements of Swalwell’s gubernatorial bid, including Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA).
House Democratic leadership also weighed in. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) publicly called on Swalwell to end his campaign, signaling a growing consensus within party leadership that the controversy was too serious to ignore.
In addition, several current and former staffers from Swalwell’s congressional office and gubernatorial campaign issued a joint letter expressing shock and concern over the accusations. The letter stated that they were “horrified” by the allegations and declared their support for the former staffer and “the other women who have come forward.”
Swalwell has denied the allegations of assault and has indicated he intends to contest them legally. However, the suspension of his campaign underscores the political weight of the accusations and reflects the broader climate in which allegations of sexual misconduct can rapidly derail public careers.
The situation continues to unfold, with legal, political, and personal consequences likely to develop in the coming weeks as investigations proceed and both sides present their accounts.
Source: Breitbart
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