Embattled Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) announced he is suspending his campaign for California governor Sunday, stepping away from a race he once led as the frontrunner following a cascade of sexual misconduct allegations that triggered a swift and sweeping political collapse.
In a statement, the California Democrat apologized to his family, staff, friends, and supporters, acknowledging "mistakes in judgment" in his past while continuing to deny the most serious accusations against him.
"I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that's my fight, not a campaign's," he said.
Swalwell — who had emerged as a top contender in the crowded contest to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom — saw his campaign rapidly unravel after allegations of sexual assault surfaced. The San Francisco Chronicle first broke the news followed by multiple accusers detailing to CNN allegations of sexual misconduct, ranging from inappropriate messages to, in one case, rape.
Swalwell vehemently denied the allegations despite his own senior staff releasing a statement asserting they stand by the women who accused him of misconduct.
"These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor," he said in a statement. "For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women."
Within 24 hours of the reports, he lost a slew of endorsements from prominent Democrats and former allies including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.),Campaign co-chair Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.) and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.)
Prosecutors in New York opened a criminal investigation Saturday into allegations that Swalwell sexually assaulted a former staffer in the state.
A growing number of members on both sides of the aisle have called for his resignation and stated they support expelling him from Congress.
