Multiple lawmakers and former staffers called for Rep. Eric Swalwell to resign after allegations of sexual misconduct led to investigations and prompted him to suspend his campaign for California governor.
Swalwell said Sunday he is suspending his gubernatorial campaign, citing personal issues and ongoing allegations.
“I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” he wrote in a statement posted on X. “To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.”
He added, “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”
I am suspending my campaign for Governor.
To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for 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.
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) April 13, 2026
The decision followed reports detailing allegations from a former staffer who said the two had sexual relations after a night of drinking and that she believed she did not have the mental capacity to consent.
Three other women also told CNN that Swalwell sent unprompted nude photos and graphic messages.
The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office said it is investigating the allegations and urged anyone with knowledge to come forward.
🚨 BREAKING: The Manhattan District Attorney’s office has officially launched an INVESTIGATION into Eric Swalwell, following MULTIPLE allegations of r-pe by staffers, per CNN
This piece of trash needs to RESIGN.
He’s destroyed enough lives. pic.twitter.com/oUrgky2hgs
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) April 11, 2026
“We urge survivors and anyone with knowledge of these allegations to contact our Special Victims Division,” the office commented, noting that prosecutors and investigators are available to respond.
Separately, the Department of Homeland Security is reviewing allegations tied to Swalwell’s employment of a nanny.
“These allegations are serious. USCIS has referred this matter to DHS law enforcement for investigation,” the agency said in a statement.
The complaint alleges that Swalwell and his wife kept a babysitter employed despite questions about work authorization and that campaign funds were used to pay her.
Federal Election Commission data cited in reports showed payments totaling thousands of dollars over multiple years.
🎇Honor America’s 250th Anniversary!!!🎇 Get your 2026 Heritage Foundation commemorative membership card ➡️➡️➡️ ACTIVATE YOUR MEMBERSHIP NOW!!! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
As the allegations became public, members of Congress began calling for Swalwell to step down from office.
Rep. Eugene Vindman said the conduct described in reports requires resignation.
“The accusations are absolutely heinous, and his admissions is betraying his family are deplorable. So, Eric Swalwell needs to resign,” he said.
Vindman added that the issue extends beyond one office. “And so, whether you’re the president of the United States or a representative, we should not tolerate this behavior. And Representative Swalwell needs to go.”
Rep. Pramila Jayapal said she would support removing Swalwell from Congress if necessary.
“I’ve already called for Congressman Swalwell to drop out of the gubernatorial race, and I think we have to hold everybody accountable,” she said.
She added that she would vote to expel him and pointed to what she described as a pattern in the allegations.
Jayapal also referenced another lawmaker in her comments. “I think that both of them need to step down from Congress,” she said, referring to Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzales.
California Democrats also weighed in as the reports circulated. Rep. Ro Khanna said Swalwell should resign and suggested similar action could apply to others.
“I believe that he should resign, and I believe that there are other members and Republican members who should resign as well,” he said.
Rep. Jared Huffman wrote that Swalwell should leave both the race and Congress.
“I’ve seen enough. With his nuanced statement aimed at defending likely criminal charges, Swalwell all but admits a per se abuse of power under House ethics rules: sex with a subordinate,” Huffman wrote.
More than 50 former staffers signed an open letter calling for Swalwell’s resignation.
The letter described the allegations as “serious” and “credible” and said they require accountability.
“The allegations reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN are serious, credible, and demand accountability,” the letter said.
It added that the signatories stand with the woman who made the accusation and believe her account.
The letter described the reported conduct as an abuse of power. “What has been described is not a political attack. It is the account of a young woman who trusted her employer, who was targeted and exploited by someone in a position of power over her,” the letter said.
The signatories called for Swalwell to leave both the race and Congress after a full investigation.
“We are appalled by his actions and stand firmly with you and every victim who has come forward,” the letter concluded.
Other Democratic figures stopped short of calling for immediate resignation while responding to questions about the allegations.
Sen. Mark Warner said he wants more information before making a final judgment.
“I want to hear his side of the story, but obviously, if any of these allegations are true, he should no longer be a candidate for governor,” he remarked.
Warner said he had seen reports but had limited personal knowledge of Swalwell.
“I think I’ve met Mr. Swalwell once or twice,” he said, adding that he prefers to review facts before weighing in.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom said the allegations must be taken seriously as more details emerge.
“As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously,” he said.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said the matter should be handled outside the campaign context.
“The young woman who has made serious allegations against Congressman Swalwell must be respected and heard,” Pelosi said, adding that the situation should be investigated with transparency and accountability.
Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna said she plans to file a motion to expel Swalwell from Congress.
“I am filing a motion to expel Eric Swalwell from Congress,” she wrote.
Luna said the issue crosses party lines. “I don’t care what the party affiliation is, if they are corrupt and engaging in illegal activity in Congress I’m going to vote to expel them,” she said.
I am filing a motion to expel Eric Swalwell from Congress.
— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) April 11, 2026
The allegations surfaced in reports that included accounts from multiple women and descriptions of conduct involving staff and contacts.
A former Capitol Hill staffer said she began circulating testimony earlier in the month from women who said they had been assaulted by the congressman.
“The Democratic candidate currently leading in the California governor’s race has a known history of being predatory towards women,” she said in a social media post.
Swalwell denied the accusations in a video statement. “They are absolutely false.They did not happen,” he said. “They have never happened, and I will fight them with everything that I have.”
Representative Eric Swalwell, a leading candidate for California governor, denied accusations of sexual assault by a former staffer, calling them ‘absolutely false’ https://t.co/KWqxztXuD8 pic.twitter.com/TUHmy3ThQR
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 11, 2026
The governor’s race remains active with multiple candidates from both parties.
Public opinion surveys indicated that Swalwell had been leading among Democrats before suspending his campaign.
Early voting for the primary is scheduled to begin on May 4, with the election set for June 2.
