Eric Swalwell Withdraws from Gubernatorial Race and Resigns from Congress

Congressman Eric Swalwell’s abrupt political downfall has caught many by surprise.

Once seen as a leading candidate in California’s 2026 gubernatorial race, he pulled out of the competition on Sunday amid growing allegations of sexual assault and harassment. Just two days later, he announced his resignation from Congress.

This unexpected exit comes seven years after Swalwell, then 38, attempted and failed to secure the Democratic Party’s nomination for the presidential race in 2020.

His departure marks the end of a 13-year tenure in Congress.

In January 2019, Swalwell, with a sense of optimism, discussed his plans for the presidential campaign, mentioning that he was organizing staff and building support in key states like Iowa and New Hampshire.

He had been actively engaging with supporters but his ambitions dissipated quickly. Despite initially gaining traction, Swalwell’s campaign slogan, “Go Big. Be Bold. Do Good,” couldn’t save him from the challenges that lay ahead.

As he faced declining poll numbers, Swalwell withdrew from the presidential race in July 2019, just three months after launching his campaign. The scrutiny surrounding recent allegations seems to have conclusively derailed his political career. It’s certainly a striking fall from grace for a politician who once had high hopes.