California Congressman Eric Swalwell has halted his campaign for governor following disturbing allegations of sexual assault made against him by multiple women.
Though Swalwell acknowledged past errors in judgment, he vehemently denied the accusations leveled against him. His political rivals, including Republican Steve Hilton and Democratic Mayor of San Jose Matt Mahan, expressed satisfaction at his decision to step down from the race.
Swalwell's reputation took a severe hit when four women accused him of sexual misconduct, including one alleging rape. A former staffer claimed Swalwell raped her during an incident in New York in 2024, which led to an investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's office. Another woman stated she woke up beside him in a hotel room after a night of heavy drinking, where he allegedly kissed and touched her without consent.
In a statement on Sunday, Swalwell announced, "I am suspending my campaign for Governor. To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past." He vowed to fight the "serious, false allegations" against him, emphasizing that it was a personal battle separate from his campaign.
Both Democrats and Republicans welcomed Swalwell's decision to suspend his campaign, many of whom distanced themselves from him when the allegations surfaced. Republican candidate Hilton criticized Swalwell for entering the race despite the ongoing controversy, condemning the "disgusting arrogance" of career politicians.
Democratic candidate Mahan declared Swalwell's political career over, stating that his withdrawal was long overdue and failed to earn him any credit. Other contenders, such as Katie Porter, seized the opportunity to rally support, with a newspaper column urging Democrats to unite behind her candidacy.
Rusty Hicks, chair of the California Democratic Party, commended Swalwell for ending his campaign, labeling his actions as "reprehensible" and asserting his unfitness for public office. Hicks urged voters not to support Swalwell in the upcoming primary election.
The allegations against Swalwell have also triggered additional legal issues, including a complaint accusing him of employing a nanny from Brazil off the books, which has been referred to the Department of Homeland Security for investigation. Prior to the assault allegations, Swalwell faced scrutiny over residency claims, financial troubles, and the use of campaign funds for personal expenses.
Despite initially dismissing the rumors as political attacks, Swalwell's campaign was upended by the serious sexual assault allegations, with reports emerging of non-disclosure agreements reportedly used to silence victims.
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