Eric Swalwell Exits California Governor Race after leaked footage of him with prostitute

Eric Swalwell Exits California Governor Race, Apologizing for Past Judgment While Denying Serious Allegations

U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) announced on Sunday, April 12, 2026, that he is suspending his campaign for California governor amid mounting pressure from sexual misconduct allegations involving multiple women, including claims of sexual assault and rape.

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Swalwell wrote:

"I am suspending my campaign for Governor. 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."

The announcement came just days after reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN detailed accusations from four women. One unnamed former congressional staffer alleged that Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice—once in 2019 while she worked for him and again in 2024 at a charity gala in New York—claiming she was too intoxicated to consent in both instances. Other women reportedly accused him of sexual harassment and misconduct. Swalwell has consistently and vehemently denied all the claims, calling them "flat false" and vowing to fight them "with everything that I have."

Rapid Fallout and Loss of Support

The allegations surfaced on Friday, April 10, triggering an immediate and sharp backlash within the Democratic Party. Prominent supporters quickly withdrew endorsements, including Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and several labor unions. Even members of Swalwell’s own campaign team, such as Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), distanced themselves.

A growing number of Democratic lawmakers, including Reps. Jared Huffman, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, and Teresa Leger Fernández, publicly called for Swalwell not only to drop his gubernatorial bid but also to resign from Congress. Some indicated they would support an expulsion vote if necessary. Bipartisan voices, including Reps. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) and Byron Donalds (R-FL), joined the chorus, with Luna filing a motion to begin expulsion proceedings. wisn.comSwalwell, a seven-term congressman from the Bay Area and one of the leading contenders to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom, had been viewed as a frontrunner in the crowded Democratic primary field. His campaign did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.Swalwell’s Response: Apology and DenialPrior to suspending his campaign, Swalwell addressed the accusations directly in a video and social media posts. While denying the sexual assault and misconduct claims outright, he acknowledged unspecified "mistakes in judgment" in his personal life, apologizing specifically to his wife, Brittany Watts, and their family. He emphasized that those matters were private between him and his spouse.

The Manhattan District Attorney’s Office confirmed it is investigating one of the alleged incidents that occurred in New York. Swalwell has not indicated plans to resign from his House seat, despite the growing calls for him to do so.

Context and Implications for the Race

California’s gubernatorial race has now been significantly disrupted. With Swalwell out, the field of Democratic candidates—including figures like former Rep. Katie Porter, billionaire Tom Steyer, and others—may see a reshuffling of support and polling dynamics. The primary is expected to be highly competitive in the nation’s most populous state.

The swift collapse of Swalwell’s bid highlights the intense scrutiny facing public figures amid allegations of this nature, particularly in the #MeToo era. While Swalwell maintains his innocence and intends to defend himself personally, the political cost has already proven steep: lost endorsements, calls for expulsion, and the effective end of his gubernatorial ambitions for now.

As investigations continue and the 2026 California governor’s race moves forward, further developments regarding Swalwell’s congressional future remain uncertain. The Patriot Oasis will continue to monitor and report on this evolving story.

This article is based on public statements and multiple news reports as of April 13, 2026.