Eric Swalwell suspends campaign for California governor amid misconduct allegations

Axios
by Andrew Solender
April 13, 2026
1 min read

Quick Insights

The Bottom Line

Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

AI Summary

Rep. Eric Swalwell announced Sunday he is suspending his campaign for California governor. He cited allegations of rape, sexual assault, and sexual misconduct, which he denies, as the reason for his withdrawal. Swalwell was a Democratic frontrunner, and his exit significantly shakes up the gubernatorial race. He stated on X, "I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past." Despite calls for his resignation, Swalwell has not indicated he will give up his House seat, and Rep. Anna Paulina Luna plans to force a vote to expel him this week.

What's Being Done

Rep. Eric Swalwell announced on X he is suspending his campaign for governor.

Source Coverage Map

14 of 43 tracked sources covered this story

33% coverage
Did Not Cover (29)
ICIJ97AP World News96AP Top News96ProPublica95Bellingcat95+24 more

Following this story?

Get notified when new coverage appears

Should this be getting more attention?

You Might Have Missed

Related stories from different sources and perspectives

Rep. Eric Swalwell vows to push back on ICE in bid for California governor - AP News
Politics

Rep. Eric Swalwell vows to push back on ICE in bid for California governor - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMirwFBVV95cUxNYUNCaTZ1XzEwaGFLY3ZGV2FCX1BoWExzdTdQZzZtQU82X1ppcm1GRWI4N3FfZEtJeWdqQTE2Ukc3NU5WZldFOWJ1RHNtc08zZERPT3VHb0ZuRjBKNGtKYXYyRVVuUl84ckN5ZGNsc3lsOVNvQWR0RWtrUld6Mjhlc0ZqeU1xd2RpcE42cGItN0RWb25zZ09lYWFjTEgtYVIyaDBScEZQTGxCUTdUU0l3?oc=5" target="_blank">Rep. Eric Swalwell vows to push back on ICE in bid for California governor</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 8
Katie Porter and influencer behind Swalwell allegations "don't have a relationship to speak of," campaign says
Politics

Katie Porter and influencer behind Swalwell allegations "don't have a relationship to speak of," campaign says

The influencer behind viral allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell has academic and political connections with UC Irvine Law professor and California governor's race rival Katie Porter.

CBS NewsApr 8
BBC

Congressman Eric Swalwell quits California governor race amid sexual misconduct claims - BBC

Apr 13
Trump endorses Republican Steven Hilton for California governor, reordering wide-open race - AP News
Politics

Trump endorses Republican Steven Hilton for California governor, reordering wide-open race - AP News

<a href="https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiuAFBVV95cUxQS1NBcVR6eU9Dam5zMnBwNkphNVZKdk4tcl9nX2FUNHdfWUt4SUo2RUZiRVZlQS1hLWF0RkN0SWI2M0FKckVKbG1mLUplYmxCX3RjT05PejhDM3kwZmZoVk5faEZnRFdERzZDUnp0N3ZZSjRyNXBrSlFzNk5rVWpRSGpYZk5uNWNfcXpTVUZCLVVyVUlCLTZBWDY3Zk5aQkFBRnBOTm9hcTlyMWJVR2laWmNmU0FDcmUy?oc=5" target="_blank">Trump endorses Republican Steven Hilton for California governor, reordering wide-open race</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<font color="#6f6f6f">AP News</font>

AP NewsApr 6
California 'architect' of 19th century native American genocide, 'US govt 'funded' most of killing'
Civil Rights

California 'architect' of 19th century native American genocide, 'US govt 'funded' most of killing'

Eve Irvine is pleased to welcome Benjamin Madley, History Professor at UCLA and author of 'An American Genocide: The United States and the California Indian Catastrophe, 1846-1873'. Drawing upon years of archival research, his work challenges long-standing narratives that attribute this demographic collapse primarily to disease or displacement. He argues that what occurred meets the legal and historical criteria of genocide: a state-sponsored system of violence. Despite immense loss, California’s Indigenous peoples have endured, rebuilt, and continue to assert their sovereignty.

AFP / France 24Apr 7
Allegations Rep. Tony Gonzales sent explicit texts to second staffer spark calls for action
Politics

Allegations Rep. Tony Gonzales sent explicit texts to second staffer spark calls for action

New allegations that Rep. Tony Gonzales sent sexually explicit text messages to a campaign staffer marked the second time the Texas Republican has been accused of sexual advances toward an employee and are renewing calls from several Republicans for further action against the embattled congressman. The San Antonio Express-News reported Monday that Gonzales had sent…

The HillApr 7
Read Next
Judges Fired After Blocking Deportations of Pro-Palestinian Students
Politics

Judges Fired After Blocking Deportations of Pro-Palestinian Students

The immigration judges’ abrupt dismissals marked the latest efforts by the Trump administration to reshape the country’s immigration courts.

Continue reading

Did this story change how you see things?

Stories like this only matter when people see them. Help us get verified journalism in front of more eyes.

Share this story

Get the daily digest

Save for later

The Verity Ledger curates verified investigative journalism from trusted sources only.

See our sources