Rumors of Swalwell's alleged behavior swirled around Washington for years: Kevin McCarthy
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell has suspended his campaign for California governor following sexual assault allegations, announcing the decision Sunday as scrutiny intensified around the Democratic primary race.
In a statement, Swalwell said he would step aside to address the claims.
"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."
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The suspension immediately reshaped a closely watched contest in which Swalwell had held a narrow lead among Democrats.
Criticism of Swalwell has circulated in Washington for years, according to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who spoke on ABC's "This Week."
"Every member in Congress knows not to let any young staffer around Swalwell or Matt Gaetz, it's not a secret there," McCarthy said.
Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown said the allegations were not unexpected, citing longstanding talk among Democratic leaders.
"No, I'm not surprised frankly because there have been rumors after rumors after rumors, his colleague in Washington pretty much said that. That's what Adam Schiff said, that's what Nancy Pelosi said," Brown said.
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Brown said Swalwell's exit leaves the field unsettled, and he has not yet decided who deserves his backing.
"I'm still trying to find somebody who might be able to win and so far I haven't found them," Brown said.
Political analysts said the fallout creates uncertainty for voters and party leaders alike.
"But right now, this is a mess. It's a mess for the Democratic Party, and it's a mess for California primary voters," said Daniel Schnur, who teaches political communications at UC Berkeley and the University of Southern California.
Schnur said the two immediate beneficiaries of Swalwell's decision are Katie Porter and Tom Steyer, though both face obstacles. He said Steyer has drawn criticism for his wealth and investment history, while Porter's personal style has sparked complaints.
"He's being attacked for making millions and millions of dollars for investing his money in ways that most Democrats find to be absolutely unacceptable," Schnur said of Steyer.
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"Porter is being criticized for being unpleasant," he said. "I don't think most Californians want an unpleasant governor, but of the two, it seems like it might be an obstacle that is more likely to be overcome."
Brown said former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has the deepest experience in the race, but that has not translated into strong polling. He added that campaign finances may now play an outsized role.
"Money is beginning to mean something in political races and when you can't raise it, you maybe at a terrible disadvantage," Brown said. "I think all those democrats are now at a disadvantage because Tom Steyer has more money than sin."
Swalwell's suspension leaves Democrats reassessing a race that, until Sunday, appeared to have a clear front-runner, with the primary still months away.
