Prominent California Democrats urged Rep. Eric Swalwell on Friday to withdraw from the 2026 gubernatorial race following explosive sexual assault allegations published by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN.

Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi discussed the matter directly with Swalwell and stated it was best handled outside a campaign, calling for full transparency and accountability. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar issued a joint statement demanding he drop out while calling for a probe into the claims. Sens. Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego withdrew their endorsements, with Schiff describing the accuser as brave.

Swalwell's campaign co-chairs, Reps. Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray resigned and called for him to exit the race. Gomez called the accusations the ugliest imaginable and said Swalwell should leave to ensure full accountability. Rivals Katie Porter, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, and Betty Yee also demanded he drop out and resign from Congress. Steyer said Swalwell should hold no position of power.

The allegations center on a former staffer who claimed Swalwell assaulted her twice when she was too intoxicated to consent: once in September 2019 after drinks in Pleasanton, where she awoke naked in his hotel room, and again in April 2024 after a New York gala, leaving her bruised and bleeding. She described earlier incidents, including coerced oral sex and Snapchat exchanges of genital images. Three other women told CNN of misconduct, such as unsolicited nude photos.

Swalwell called the claims categorically false, politically timed against his frontrunner status, and vowed to defend himself legally while focusing on his family. His campaign sent a cease-and-desist letter to the accuser.

Fallout mounted quickly. ActBlue halted donations to his campaign. SEIU California suspended activities, and the California Teachers Association dropped its endorsement. Multiple staffers quit, including labor liaison Courtni Pugh. An independent expenditure group paused support.

Swalwell announced his Bay Area congressional bid for governor in November 2025 amid a crowded field of about 10 candidates, including eight Democrats, to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. Recent polls showed him leading or tied with Porter, Steyer, and Republicans Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco. Democrats fear vote-splitting in the June 2 nonpartisan top-two primary could send two Republicans to November, especially after President Trump's Hilton endorsement.

Swalwell has not suspended his campaign as of Saturday evening and maintains his innocence. The California Democratic Party chair called the reports disturbing but focused on viability assessments for all candidates. Republican rivals criticized him but noted his refusal to quit.