Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) suspended his bid for California governor on Sunday, April 13, 2026, following sexual misconduct allegations, staff resignations, and multiple investigations. He denied the claims and vowed to fight them separately from politics, amid bipartisan calls for his congressional resignation.
In a post on X, Swalwell wrote: “I am suspending my campaign for Governor. To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”
This follows Friday's reports of accusations from multiple women, including a former staffer's rape claim, prompting Saturday's mass resignations by senior staff from his congressional and campaign offices (see prior coverage). Swalwell reiterated in a video that the allegations are “flat false.”
Investigations continue to mount: Manhattan DA probing a 2024 New York assault; Justice Department examining prior mortgage fraud claims; DHS confirming a probe into allegations he hired an undocumented Brazilian nanny and lied about it, stating “No one is above the law.”
Democrats including Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Jared Huffman, and Teresa Leger Fernandez demanded his congressional resignation, with Jayapal on NBC emphasizing accountability. Republicans like Rep. Byron Donalds echoed expulsion calls. House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi urged ending the campaign but not congressional resignation. Numerous endorsements were withdrawn.
