POLITICS

Swalwell Suspends California Governor Campaign After Multiple Allegations

PUBLISHED Apr 12, 2026, 9:18 AM ET

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Swalwell Suspends California Governor Campaign After Multiple Allegations

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Sources: 11

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Sources: 11

SACRAMENTO — Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his 2026 campaign for California governor on Sunday after multiple women accused him of sexual assault in reports first published by the San Francisco Chronicle and reported by CNN on Friday. He denied the allegations and said he would focus on defending himself; the reports included an allegation from a former staffer who said she was too intoxicated to consent. Following the Friday reports, prominent backers including Sen. Adam Schiff and several labor unions withdrew endorsements over the weekend, and several House Democrats publicly urged Swalwell to quit or consider resignation. The suspension comes less than a month before mail ballots begin ahead of the June 2 primary, with party officials and lawmakers weighing next steps and potential congressional responses.

By Lauren Mitchell | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

Friday: San Francisco Chronicle publishes initial allegations; CNN publishes related accounts.
Friday–Saturday: Additional women come forward publicly; media coverage expands.
Weekend: Prominent endorsers including Sen. Adam Schiff and labor unions withdraw support.
Sunday: Swalwell posts a denial and states he will spend time with family.
Sunday/Monday: Swalwell suspends his gubernatorial campaign; calls for resignation continue.

News Intelligence

This situation could impact your vote. If you're in California, you might need to rethink your choice for governor. Even if you're not, it's a reminder to stay informed about candidates' behavior. Check their track records before you vote.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 11
Right Leaning:: 0
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 11

Who Benefited

Swalwell's Democratic primary rivals and allied candidates benefited from his suspension through potential reallocation of voter support, endorsements, and donor attention in the weeks before the June 2 primary.

Who Impacted

Rep. Eric Swalwell, his campaign staff, and some endorsing organizations suffered immediate reputational and political damage as prominent allies withdrew support following published allegations of sexual assault.

Media Bias