Swalwell campaign halted after assault allegations - Taipei Times

US Representative Eric Swalwell on Sunday said that he was suspending his campaign for California governor following allegations he sexually assaulted a former staff member and engaged in sexual misconduct with other women.

The Democrat was a front-runner in the June primary election to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom, but the allegations, published on Friday last week in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN, led a number of prominent Democrats to rescind their support for him.

Swalwell's departure leaves the crowded race to lead the Democratic state wide open. Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host supported by US President Donald Trump, is one of the Republican candidates in the running.

Photo: Reuters

"I am suspending my campaign for Governor," Swalwell, 45, announced in a statement posted on social media on Sunday evening. "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."

A former Swalwell staffer said that he sexually assaulted her when she was heavily intoxicated, and left her bruised and bleeding, according to the reports.

Three other women also alleged sexual misconduct by Swalwell, CNN reported.

A letter released on Sunday and signed by more than 50 former Swalwell staffers described the allegations as "serious" and "credible," demanding he resign from the US Congress and drop his bid for governor.

His post on Sunday did not address his position in the US Congress.

Multiple prominent Democrats who had supported Swalwell's gubernatorial bid, including US senators Adam Schiff and Ruben Gallego, have rescinded their endorsements, and leading party figures had said that he should end his campaign.