Eric Swalwell Drops Governor Bid After Sexual Misconduct Claims

Eric Swalwell, the San Francisco congressman who once unseated a long‑time incumbent, has ended his run for California governor after serious accusations surfaced. The claims, reported by major news outlets last Friday, say he sexually assaulted a former staff member in New York and behaved inappropriately with other women. The allegations triggered the withdrawal of endorsements, a criminal probe by Manhattan prosecutors, and ultimately his decision to step away from the race.

In a brief post on X, Swalwell apologized for past mistakes and pledged to fight the accusations as a personal matter rather than a campaign issue. He denied wrongdoing but did not address his congressional duties in the message. The announcement came just a day after the Manhattan district attorney’s office confirmed it was investigating him.

Swalwell first entered Congress in 2012, defeating an 80‑year‑old incumbent and later running a short‑lived presidential campaign in 2019. He has been a vocal critic of former President Trump and frequently appears on cable news, which helped him gain name recognition against a crowded field of candidates.

The alleged assault involved a hotel encounter with a former staffer, according to the reports. The investigation and the fallout from the story have put Swalwell’s political future in doubt, as supporters distance themselves amid the controversy.

His exit leaves the governor race more open than before, with no clear frontrunner emerging. The situation highlights how swiftly a political career can unravel when allegations of misconduct arise, and it underscores the importance of accountability in public office.