Embattled Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has ended his California gubernatorial campaign, a decision that comes days after multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct.
“I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” Swalwell announced in a short statement on X. “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.”
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He did, however, still vow to “fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”
Those allegations were from four separate women, one of whom was a former staffer. That ex-staffer alleged that Swalwell raped her twice.
Swalwell’s campaign was imperiled after the allegations dropped. Top House Democrats urged him to drop out of the race, numerous endorsements were pulled, and Swalwell’s campaign co-chair resigned.
Numerous current staffers for Swalwell also said they were “horrified” by the allegations, and one of the alleged assaults is now under investigation by the Manhattan district attorney’s office.
His departure leaves California’s June 2 jungle primary for the governor’s mansion seemingly wide open.
Other Democratic candidates include former Rep. Katie Porter and businessman Tom Steyer, but Porter has suffered some backlash herself over resurfaced footage showing her yelling at a staffer.
On the Republican side, Steve Hilton, who has President Donald Trump’s endorsement, and Sheriff Chad Bianco lead the field.
According to a March poll from Emerson College, Swalwell was leading the primary with 17%, followed by Hilton at 13%, Steyer with 11%, and Porter at 8%.
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Swalwell’s exit could clear the way for California, a solidly blue state, to elect its first Republican governor since Arnold Schwarzenegger, who served from 2003 to 2011.
The jungle primary system selects the top two candidates, regardless of party affiliation, both of whom advance to the November election.
