US congressman Eric Swalwell has dropped out of California’s governor race following growing pressure over sexual misconduct allegations.
The Democrat has been accused by four women of misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to rape. He has denied the claims and vowed to defend himself with “facts”.
Still, top allies intensified pressure on him to exit the gubernatorial race in which he was projected as one of the frontrunners among Democratic candidates.
His departure comes at a pivotal moment in the wide-open primary race, just weeks before voters receive mail ballots ahead of the 2 June election to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom and to lead the nation’s most populous state.
In a post on X he said: “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.”
A growing number of Democratic lawmakers have called for the expulsion of Swalwell from the House of Representatives as he battles allegations of sexual misconduct that have upended his bid to be California’s next governor. Democrats said they would be on board with removing Swalwell if a Republican congressman, Tony Gonzales of Texas, who is also facing allegations of abuse involving a staff member, is removed from the chamber, too.
Virginia Democrat Eugene Vindman told CNN on Sunday: “We should not tolerate this behaviour. Representative Eric Swalwell needs to go.”
Before the allegations surfaced Swalwell was projected as a frontrunner in the race for California governor.
Last month, Gonzales dropped his re-election bid after admitting to having an affair with a staff member. A House ethics panel is investigating his conduct.
US media reported four women have accused Swalwell of misconduct ranging from harassment to sexual assault, including an alleged incident in New York that has prompted an investigation by Manhattan district attorney’s office. The BBC has not independently verified the unnamed accuser’s account or identity.
Swalwell – who was elected in 2012 to a district near San Francisco – vowed in a statement on Friday to defend himself.
“For nearly 20 years, I have served the public – as a prosecutor and a congressman, and have always protected women,” the married father-of-three added. “I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action.”
Within hours of the accusations surfacing, Swalwell’s California gubernatorial campaign had lost the backing of prominent supporters, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Now some of his colleagues are going further in calling for him to step down from Congress altogether.
Jared Huffman, a California Democrat, said if Swalwell and Gonzales did not resign from Congress, he would support their expulsion.
By BBC News
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