Embattled Rep. Swalwell Drops California Governor Bid Amid Assault Claims
Facing multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell has suspended his campaign for California governor, apologizing to supporters and family.
Representative Eric Swalwell, a California Democrat, has suspended his campaign for governor of the state amid a series of sexual assault and misconduct allegations. The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN reported on the claims, which Swalwell has called false but says he is apologizing to his supporters and family over.
Swalwell, who has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013, announced his decision to end his gubernatorial bid in a statement, acknowledging the toll the allegations have taken on his family. While he maintains the claims are untrue, the congressman said he does not want the controversy to be a distraction from the important issues facing California.
The sexual assault and misconduct allegations against Swalwell stem from incidents that allegedly occurred in recent years, according to the reports. The Chronicle and CNN spoke with multiple individuals who accused the Democratic representative of inappropriate behavior, including unwanted touching and making inappropriate comments.
In his statement, Swalwell acknowledged the impact the claims have had on his loved ones and said he is stepping away from the governor's race to focus on his duties in Congress. He also apologized to his supporters and family for the distraction.
The suspension of Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign comes just months after he launched his bid to succeed the term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom. Swalwell had positioned himself as a progressive and reformist candidate, hoping to build on his national profile and experience in the House.
With Swalwell's withdrawal, the Democratic field for California governor remains crowded, with Lieutenant Governor Eleni Kounalakis, State Controller Malia Cohen, and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass among the other prominent contenders. The Republican side is led by former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer and State Senator Brian Dahle.
The 2024 California gubernatorial election is shaping up to be a competitive and consequential race, with the winner poised to lead the nation's most populous state through a range of economic, social, and environmental challenges. Swalwell's exit leaves the Democratic primary field without one of its more high-profile and experienced candidates.
Source: NPR
