Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell announced this week that he’s leaving Congress and the crowded contest for California governor following serious sexual assault allegations, which he denies. The allegations concern incidents involving a female employee and have caused a swift withdrawal of his campaign support.
Just days ago, the 45-year-old congressman was among the front-running Democrats in the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cannot seek a third term. However, his campaign unraveled rapidly after San Francisco Chronicle reported the allegations, and by Sunday, Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial campaign, explaining on social media that he will address the false accusations personally instead of as a candidate.
Former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer are already vying for Swalwell’s former backers as the primary approaches with no clear frontrunner. The dynamics of the race have now changed significantly with Swalwell's exit.
Swalwell’s announcement followed discussions in Congress about possibly expelling him. Furthermore, the House Ethics Committee has initiated an investigation into the allegations made against him, though its future remains uncertain due to his expected resignation.
Having served in Congress since 2012, Swalwell's departure not only shakes up the political landscape of California but also raises questions about the broader implications for his party, especially with the upcoming elections ahead.
