SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Rep. Eric Swalwell’s California gubernatorial campaign unraveled Friday as key Democratic allies withdrew endorsements, staff resigned, and fundraising platforms suspended donations following multiple sexual misconduct allegations.
Sen. Adam Schiff, Sen. Ruben Gallego, and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi called on Swalwell to exit the race. Rep. Jimmy Gomez stepped down as campaign chair, and top adviser Courtni Pugh resigned. ActBlue halted donations to Swalwell’s campaign, and an independent expenditure group supporting him suspended activity.
The backlash follows CNN and San Francisco Chronicle reports in which four women accused Swalwell of misconduct ranging from unwanted touching to rape. A former staffer alleged Swalwell raped her while she was heavily intoxicated—a claim he strongly denies.
Rival gubernatorial candidates, including Tom Steyer, also demanded Swalwell drop out. Swalwell called the allegations “false” and suggested they were timed to hurt his front-runner status.
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