Eric Swalwell Faces Exiting Gubernatorial Bid Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

Sat Apr 11 2026 04:20:59 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

In a dramatic turn of events, support for Rep. Eric Swalwell's campaign for California governor withdraws following sexual assault allegations. Swalwell denies claims and faces mounting pressure to exit the race.

Rep. Eric Swalwell's campaign for California governor has taken a severe blow as prominent supporters, including U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff and major labor unions, withdraw their endorsements. This follows allegations of sexual assault by a former staff member. Despite Swalwell denying the accusations and suggesting they are politically motivated, calls for him to drop out intensify as the primary election approaches.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In a stunning political reversal, prominent supporters of Rep. Eric Swalwell's campaign for California governor withdrew their backing on Friday after the congressman denied allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including during her employment with him.

Swalwell was a leading contender among Democrats for the gubernatorial position; however, within hours of the allegations surfacing, his most prominent endorsers—such as U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff and influential labor unions—resigned their support and called for his exit from the race.

The allegations, reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, include accounts from a woman who claims Swalwell assaulted her in 2019 and again in 2024, asserting she was too intoxicated to consent. Despite the serious nature of the claims, Swalwell has directly refuted the allegations, deeming them false and politically charged.

In a statement, Swalwell asserted: For nearly 20 years, I have served the public—as a prosecutor and a congressman—and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. He emphasized his immediate focus would be on his family during this challenging time.

The political fallout was swift. Schiff expressed deep distress on social media and called for Swalwell to end his gubernatorial bid. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi echoed the sentiment, stating the accusations warranted investigation outside of a political campaign.

Other key figures, including Rep. Jimmy Gomez and Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego, also publicly urged Swalwell to withdraw. Major labor unions, such as the California Service Employees International Union, have suspended their support, with the California Federation of Labor announcing urgent discussions on next steps.

As the allegations continue to unfold, the pressure on Swalwell mounts within the context of the impending primary election on June 2, raising concerns of potential fundraising challenges for his campaign.

Swalwell has represented a House district east of San Francisco since 2012, gaining national attention for his role in impeaching Donald Trump. His latest candidacy only received a few months of support, but recent developments may severely hinder his chances as the gubernatorial race intensifies.