Swalwell suspends California governor campaign amid probe

Representative Eric Swalwell , a Democrat from California, said on Sunday evening, April 12, 2026, that he is suspending his campaign for California governor. The announcement came days after allegations of sexual assault and misconduct were reported on Friday, April 10, 2026, by The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN.

Mr. Swalwell has consistently denied the accusations. In his statement, he said he intends to contest the claims outside the structure of an active political campaign, describing the move as a way to separate his defense from the race for governor.

The reports triggered swift political and organizational fallout. Endorsements were pulled by major groups, including the California Teachers Association and the Service Employees International Union, after the allegations became public.

Legal scrutiny also escalated over the weekend. The Manhattan District Attorney's office opened a criminal investigation into the allegations on Saturday, April 11, 2026, according to the source material.

Pressure intensified within Democratic leadership. House Democratic leaders and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urged Mr. Swalwell to exit the gubernatorial contest, saying a full investigation should proceed outside the context of a political campaign.

Mr. Swalwell, 45, has a background that includes work as a prosecutor and experience in local politics. He later became nationally known as a critic of former President Trump, a profile that helped raise his visibility beyond California.

Before the allegations surfaced, he entered a crowded gubernatorial primary with strong name recognition and early polling advantages, according to the source material. His decision to suspend the campaign follows the rapid shift from early momentum to a focus on the accusations, the investigation, and the loss of institutional support.

The situation leaves several uncertainties unresolved, including the timeline and scope of the Manhattan District Attorney's office investigation and how quickly it may move. It also remains unclear how the suspension will reshape the dynamics of the crowded primary, now that a previously prominent contender has stepped back while he continues to deny wrongdoing.