By Caitlin Yilek
Updated April 12, 2026 / 9:16 PM EDT
CBS News
Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his bid for California governor Sunday as he faced growing pressure to end his campaign amid allegations of sexual assault.
“I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” Swalwell wrote on social media. “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.”
Swalwell denied the allegations after a former staffer accused him of sexually assaulting her twice when she was too drunk to consent, and alleged other misconduct. The woman detailed the alleged encounters to the San Francisco Chronicle, which published a story Friday. Swalwell called the allegations “false” and suggested they were politically motivated, and he threatened legal action against the unnamed accuser.
Calls from Democrats to end his campaign came swiftly. Swalwell, who had previously won support from many of the state’s top Democrats, lost that backing as leaders expressed horror at the accusations. In a statement Friday night, House Democratic leaders urged Swalwell to immediately end his campaign but stopped short of calling for his resignation from Congress.
“This is unacceptable of anyone — certainly not an elected official — and must be taken seriously,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar said. “All perpetrators of sexual assault and harassment must be held accountable.”
California’s Democratic senators, Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, also called on Swalwell to withdraw; Schiff said he was “deeply distressed” by the accusations. Dozens of Swalwell’s former staffers sent a letter over the weekend asking him to drop out of the race and resign from Congress, writing, “We stand unequivocally with our colleague, who showed extraordinary courage in coming forward to share her truth. We believe her.”
Swalwell faces the possibility of an expulsion vote in the House. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, announced plans to force a vote to expel Swalwell over the allegations, and a vote could come as soon as midweek.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed it is investigating the allegations. The office asked any survivors and those with relevant information to contact investigators, saying, “Our specially trained prosecutors, investigators, and counselors are well-equipped to help you in a trauma-informed, survivor-centered manner.”