Rep. Eric Swalwell Exits California Governor’s Race Following Sexual Assault Allegations
Why It Matters
California’s already competitive race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom has been upended after U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial campaign following serious sexual assault allegations from a former staffer and misconduct claims from several other women. The controversy has triggered calls not only for Swalwell’s exit from the race but also for his removal from Congress entirely, adding fresh turbulence to the California political landscape.
The allegations — and the bipartisan condemnation that followed — raise significant questions about accountability standards within the Democratic Party ahead of one of the most closely watched state elections in the country.
What Happened
Swalwell announced the suspension of his California gubernatorial campaign in a social media statement on Sunday, April 12, 2026. “I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” he wrote, adding, “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.”
The announcement came after CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle published reports detailing alleged accounts of sexual assault from a former staffer, as well as misconduct allegations from several other women. Within hours, influential Democratic lawmakers and allied organizations began revoking endorsements and publicly demanding Swalwell withdraw from the race.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed on Saturday that it had opened an investigation into the allegations, a development that accelerated the political fallout surrounding the California congressman.
By the Numbers
A March 2026 poll from Emerson College showed Swalwell leading both Democratic and Republican challengers by several points in the governor’s race — a standing that collapsed within days of the reports going public. At least two major news organizations, CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle, published separate accounts of alleged misconduct. The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office opened its investigation on April 11, one day before Swalwell’s withdrawal. Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna moved to initiate expulsion proceedings in the U.S. House, a step that drew stated support from members of both parties.
Bipartisan Calls for Expulsion
The political fallout extended well beyond California’s governor’s race. Congressman Ro Khanna, a fellow Democrat, condemned Swalwell in stark terms during a Sunday morning appearance on Fox News. “What he did is sick and disgusting,” Khanna said, calling on both law enforcement and the U.S. House of Representatives to investigate the allegations.
Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna announced she would submit a motion to begin the process of expelling Swalwell from Congress. Notably, some Democrats indicated they could support such a move. Representative Pramila Jayapal framed the issue as one of principle rather than partisan loyalty. “This is not a partisan issue,” she said Sunday. “This cuts across party lines. And it is the depravity of the way that women have been treated.”
Republican Representative Byron Donalds and Democratic Representative Ro Khanna both said they could support a push to remove both Swalwell and Republican Representative Tony Gonzales of Texas — who faces separate sexual misconduct allegations — from Congress. “As far as I’m concerned, both gentlemen need to go home,” Donalds said.
Zoom Out
Swalwell’s exit dramatically reshapes the field in California’s governor’s race, which had already drawn national attention. President Donald Trump’s endorsement of Republican candidate Steve Hilton had already shifted the dynamics of the contest, giving conservatives a credible standard-bearer in a state long dominated by Democrats. Swalwell’s departure removes the Democratic frontrunner from the field entirely, leaving the party without its polling leader months before the primary.
The episode also reflects a broader national reckoning over sexual misconduct in elected office. Democrats, who have previously called for accountability in cases involving Republican officeholders, now face pressure to apply the same standard to members of their own caucus. The parallel calls to remove both Swalwell and Gonzales underscore that demand. Meanwhile, California Democrats have faced internal divisions on other fronts as well, including unexpected resistance to proposed tax increases from within their own coalition.
What’s Next
The Manhattan District Attorney’s investigation into Swalwell remains active, and the U.S. House is expected to consider expulsion proceedings in the coming weeks. Representative Luna’s motion will need to clear procedural hurdles before a full House vote could occur. On the campaign trail, the California governor’s race will now re-sort without its Democratic polling leader, opening the door for other candidates to consolidate support ahead of the primary. Swalwell has vowed to fight the allegations, stating in his withdrawal announcement that doing so is “my fight, not a campaign’s.”