Democratic congressman, running to replace Gavin Newsom, has faced multiple accusations
Representative Eric Swalwell, the Democratic frontrunner in the fiercely contested race to be governor of California, has suspended his campaign amid a series of sexual assault and misconduct allegations by a former staff member and at least three other women.
The woman who worked for Swalwell said the California congressman had sexually assaulted her twice when she was too inebriated to consent, according to a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, which was published on Friday.
Three other women also accused Swalwell of misconduct, according to CNN. The women said Swalwell had sent them unsolicited nude photographs or explicit messages.
In a statement posted online, Swalwell, 45, said he would “fight the serious, false allegations that have been made – but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s”.
“To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” he said.
Since the allegations were first made public on Friday, Swalwell, has forcefully denied the claims, asserting in a video statement that they were “flat false” and part of a concerted effort to derail his gubernatorial campaign.
Rumors about his alleged misconduct had swirled online for weeks before the Chronicle and CNN published their articles on Friday, shaking up a deeply unsettled race. Almost immediately, prominent supporters and rivals began to call on him to withdraw...
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