Eric Swalwell Resigns From Congress Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations

U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell has resigned from Congress and suspended his gubernatorial campaign following serious allegations of sexual misconduct, including rape. His rapid fall from grace has left California's already tumultuous race for governor in a state of confusion.

Swalwell announced his resignation on April 13, 2026, just one day after he suspended his campaign on April 12. The allegations against him surfaced in reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN, where multiple women accused him of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior.

In a post on X, Swalwell expressed remorse, stating, "To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that's my fight, not a campaign's." Critics have pointed out that his apology was undermined by his insistence that the allegations were false, a common refrain among politicians facing similar accusations.

The first complaint was made by a woman who was just 21 when she began working for Swalwell. She alleged that he pursued her, sent explicit Snapchat messages, and sexually assaulted her on two occasions when she was too intoxicated to consent. Following the initial report, CNN corroborated the allegations with accounts from several other women, leading to a swift withdrawal of support from prominent Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Swalwell's exit from the race leaves a major vacuum in the Democratic field for governor, which was already marked by uncertainty. Political strategist Marva Diaz noted that Swalwell's departure has only increased confusion among voters. "I’ve never seen something so in flux with ballots about to drop," she said. "This is a race that was already anyone’s to win." Due to missing the statutory withdrawal deadline, Swalwell's name will still appear on the June 2 primary election ballot, potentially complicating matters even more.

In the aftermath of Swalwell's resignation, two candidates are positioned to benefit significantly: billionaire climate advocate Tom Steyer and former Congresswoman Katie Porter. Polls indicate that both candidates are likely to attract a substantial portion of Swalwell's supporters. Pollsters from the Public Policy Institute of California and UC Berkeley have confirmed that Steyer and Porter are the frontrunners to gain from Swalwell’s exit, though it remains unclear if either will surge ahead in the final weeks leading to the primary.

Meanwhile, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan's independent campaign committee has raised $12 million since April 10, 2026, and is launching a $4.5 million advertising blitz as it seeks to capitalize on the shifting dynamics of the race.

Before the allegations surfaced, Swalwell had been polling between 10% and 15% among Democratic candidates, often tied with or trailing Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco. His supporters leaned more liberal and progressive, making them a potential fit for Porter, who has struggled to gain traction among the Democratic establishment.

Swalwell's resignation also raises questions about his congressional seat in California's 14th District. With the candidate filing deadline for the June primary already passed, the decision to call a special election now rests with Governor Gavin Newsom. If Newsom opts to hold an election, it could occur as early as mid-August, as state law mandates that it take place between 126 and 140 days after the proclamation. Should he decline to call for an election, Swalwell's seat would remain vacant until mid-January 2027, a setback for Democrats already outnumbered in the House.

The California Labor Federation had jointly endorsed Swalwell along with Porter and Steyer, but now faces the challenge of regrouping. Lorena Gonzalez, the federation's president, stated that they likely won't revisit their endorsements in light of Swalwell's departure. Other major unions that had backed Swalwell, including the Service Employees International Union and California Teachers Association, have also withdrawn their support but may not have time to endorse another candidate before the primary.

As the fallout continues, the political implications of Swalwell's resignation are still being assessed. His supporters, who often mirrored the demographics of Porter’s base, may not easily transfer their allegiance. Eric Schickler, co-director of UC Berkeley's Institute of Governmental Studies, noted that Swalwell's supporters tended to be older and whiter, similar to Porter's base, but cautioned that this does not guarantee a straightforward transition.

Swalwell's rapid downfall has sparked broader discussions about the culture of accountability within politics, especially concerning allegations of sexual misconduct. Activists and commentators are calling for stronger mechanisms within political parties to support survivors and prevent such behavior from being an open secret among political elites.

As the dust settles on this political upheaval, the Democratic race for governor remains a toss-up, with candidates scrambling to consolidate support. The upcoming primary will serve as a litmus test for how voters respond to the shifting dynamics and the fallout from Swalwell's exit.

In the aftermath of these developments, the political community is left to ponder the implications of Swalwell's resignation. With the primary just weeks away, candidates will need to adapt quickly to the changing political terrain, and voters will have to navigate a complex field of options as they head to the polls.