U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor on Sunday evening amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct from four women.

Swalwell, a Democrat representing California's 14th Congressional District, announced in a post on X at around 8:52 p.m. ET. "To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for the 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," he wrote. The 45-year-old congressman from Dublin, California, had launched his bid in November 2025 to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom in the June 2026 primary.

The allegations first surfaced on Friday in reports by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN. A former staffer who interned for Swalwell in 2019 alleged two incidents of nonconsensual sexual contact: one in September 2019, when she woke up naked in his hotel room after heavy drinking during work duties, and another in April 2024 in New York City after a gala, where she said she was too intoxicated to consent and pushed him away during sex. Three other women described misconduct, including unwanted advances after drinks in 2025, leading to one waking in his hotel room with limited memory, and unsolicited nude photos and explicit Snapchat messages sent in 2021 to a social media creator and a marketing professional.

Swalwell has categorically denied the claims, calling them "flat false" and politically motivated. In a video posted Saturday, he vowed to defend himself legally. His attorney sent cease-and-desist letters to some accusers, asserting voluntary relationships and threatening lawsuits. He apologized generally for past judgments but maintained that no assault occurred.

The fallout was immediate. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Sen. Adam Schiff, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries withdrew endorsements. Rep. Jared Huffman called for Swalwell to resign from Congress. More than 55 former staffers signed a letter demanding his resignation and a law enforcement probe, citing the accuser's courage and corroborating evidence like medical records. Labor groups, including SEIU California and the California Labor Federation, pulled support. Rep. Katie Porter, a rival candidate, urged his congressional resignation.

Investigations are underway: Manhattan DA is probing the 2024 allegation, and Alameda County DA is reviewing local claims. Republicans, including Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, plan a House expulsion vote.

Swalwell entered the crowded Democratic field with strong name recognition from his 2019 presidential run and criticism of former President Trump. His exit leaves contenders like Katie Porter, Xavier Becerra, Tony Thurmond, and Tom Steyer, alongside Republicans such as Steve Hilton. Campaign fundraising halted, and staff resigned as the website went offline.