Eric Swalwell withdraws from gubernatorial race

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell withdrew from the California gubernatorial race on Sunday evening, following accusations of sexual misconduct and the rapid loss of support from fellow party members.

“I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” Swalwell said in an online post. “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 story has been updated

Swalwell, who represents the state’s 14th congressional district, bowed out of the race a day after several other Democratic elected officials — including Rep. Scott Peters of San Diego as well as sitting California Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, among others — called on him to do so.

“It is in everyone’s interest to ensure that justice is done,” Peters said in a statement on Saturday. “There is no way that Eric can wage a viable campaign for governor.”

Pressure began to mount on Swalwell to leave the race following a San Francisco Chronicle report saying that a woman who worked in his office in Castro Valley said he sexually assaulted her while she was intoxicated. The congressman has denied any wrongdoing or involvement with people working for him.

“For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women,” Swalwell said on Friday. “I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action.”

Swalwell’s departure creates a vacuum among Democratic Party gubernatorial candidates; some poll tracking sites had him listed as the party’s top choice ahead of the June 2 primary. Because the Democratic field had been so crowded this year, with Swalwell competing against former Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer, among others, party observers became concerned that none of them would garner enough support to place in the top two in the primary.

In that scenario, no Democrat would advance to the November 2026 general election, leaving voters to choose between the two leading Republican Party candidates, Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton. Hours before Swalwell left the race, the state GOP concluded its annual conference in San Diego without endorsing a candidate.