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Campaign Collapse at a Critical Moment
A once-promising California governor campaign has collapsed under a cloud of explosive sexual misconduct allegations, forcing US Congressman Eric Swalwell to abruptly suspend his bid just as the race was entering a critical stage.

The sudden exit has sent shockwaves through the already volatile Democratic primary, intensifying scrutiny over a race that could reshape leadership in America’s most populous state.

Eric Swalwell has dropped out of the California governor race following mounting pressure tied to sexual misconduct allegations.

The Democrat had been considered one of the frontrunners in the crowded Democratic field, making his withdrawal a major turning point in the race to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom.

His departure comes just weeks before voters begin receiving postal ballots ahead of the June 2 election.

Allegations Trigger Political Fallout
The congressman has been accused by four women of misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to rape. He has denied all allegations and vowed to defend himself using “facts.”

Top political allies reportedly urged him to step aside as pressure intensified, ultimately contributing to the collapse of his campaign.

The allegations surfaced publicly through reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle, which cited claims from a former staff member describing inappropriate conduct after she joined his district office in Castro Valley.

Disturbing Claims from Former Staff
A former staff member alleged that inappropriate behavior began shortly after she was hired, including sexual comments, requests for sex, and explicit messages.

The woman, who has not been publicly identified, also claimed that in September 2019 she woke up naked in the congressman’s hotel room with little recollection of the events from the night before.

Years later, she said she met him at a gala and later remembered pushing him away and saying “no” during an encounter.

She also stated she later woke up with signs of sexual trauma on her body.

Her account was reportedly supported by text messages she sent to friends at the time, as well as confirmation from her former boyfriend, who said he encouraged her to report the incident to police.

Additional Accusations Surface
Later on Friday, CNN reported accusations from four women who worked for Eric Swalwell, all of whom made separate claims of sexual misconduct.

Within hours of the reports becoming public, the congressman lost support from high-profile political figures, including Senator Adam Schiff and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

His legal team had previously sent cease-and-desist letters to two accusers, according to CNN.

Swalwell Responds and Denies Allegations
Eric Swalwell has strongly denied all allegations and says he will fight them legally.

"For nearly 20 years, I have served the public - as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women. I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action,"

"My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies."

He also announced he is suspending his campaign, stating:

"I am suspending my campaign for governor."

And added:

"To my family, staff, friends and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past."

And further stated:

"I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made - but that's my fight, not a campaign's."

A Volatile Race Takes a New Turn
The California governor race is now wide open, with at least 10 candidates expected on the ballot in the primary.

Despite California’s strong Democratic advantage, the field has become fragmented, creating unexpected openings for Republican contenders.

Under the state’s top-two primary system, the two highest vote-getters—regardless of party—advance to the November 3 general election, setting the stage for a potentially unpredictable showdown.

What Comes Next
With Eric Swalwell out of the race and major endorsements already shifting, the political landscape in California is undergoing a rapid realignment.

As ballots approach distribution, the fallout from the allegations continues to reshape one of the most closely watched gubernatorial contests in the United States.