U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell — a Bay Area congressmember and one of the leading candidates for California governor — suspended his campaign Sunday, after allegations that he sexually assaulted a former congressional staffer arose last week, reports CalMatters’ Jeanne Kuang.
- Swalwell, in a social media post: “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.”
His decision to end his bid came days after reports from CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle alleged that Swalwell engaged in sexual misconduct with a handful of women, including a former staffer who said Swalwell raped her. The CNN report included text messages that the staffer sent to her friends soon after the alleged 2024 incident in which she wrote that Swalwell assaulted her. Swalwell has called these accusations “absolutely false.”
The reports prompted several Democratic congressmembers and influential labor groups, such as the California Federation of Labor Unions and the California Teachers Association, to withdraw their support. At least four of his campaign staffers also resigned.
At the California Democratic Party’s annual convention in February, Swalwell gained the largest share of votes, 24%, among the delegates, though it wasn’t enough to secure an official party endorsement. In recent weeks before accusations surfaced, Swalwell was in a three-way tie with former Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire investor Tom Steyer as a leading Democratic candidate.
Swalwell’s departure could result in more voter support coalescing around Porter, Steyer or another Democrat.
Some House members from both parties and his fellow opponents are also calling for Swalwell to resign from Congress, with Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida saying Saturday that she plans to file a motion to expel him.
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Other Stories You Should Know
CA’s GOP fail to endorse candidate for governor
Both Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco failed to garner enough votes from their fellow Republican colleagues to win the California Republican Party’s official endorsement for governor, writes CalMatters’ Maya C. Miller.
The state’s GOP concluded its annual convention over the weekend in San Diego, following President Donald Trump endorsement of Hilton, a political strategist and former Fox News host. On Sunday, 44% of delegates voted for Hilton, while 49% voted for Riverside County Sheriff Bianco — not enough to reach the party endorsement requirement of 60%.
More on the GOP convention: With a month to go before mail ballots for the June primary are sent out, California Republicans are optimistic that some GOP legislators can win reelection in Congress — despite voters approving Proposition 50 that redraws congressional maps to favor Democrats.
A tension CalMatters’ Nadia Lathan observed is how much to invoke Trump in these down-ballot races. State party officials tried to distance the party from Trump. But delegates at the convention remained visibly supportive of the president.
Malpractice lawsuits bill aims to protect LGBTQ youth
The state Senate’s judiciary committee advanced a bill last week that aims to sidestep a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling upholding conversion therapy, reports CalMatters’ Kristen Hwang.
The bill would give more time for someone to file a medical malpractice suit against a mental health professional for trying to change their sexual orientation or gender and harming them in the process. Depending on the age of the person who files the claim, the bill would increase the statute of limitations from three years to up to 22 years.
Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, introduced the bill after the high court ruled 8-1 in March that a Colorado law banning conversion therapy violated the free speech rights of therapists.
Groups opposing Wiener’s bill include the California Baptists for Biblical Values, the California Family Council and other groups that have historically pushed back against state efforts to protect LGBTQ youth.
CA’s salmon season; Salton Sea conservancy
Let’s dive into some environmental news:
- Salmon season: California is expected to reopen its commercial salmon fishing season. But after three consecutive years of cancelled seasons, which have devastated the industry, rules are getting tighter. California regulators plan to impose strict fishing dates and harvest limits. State and federal decisions related to California’s water systems could also reshape the barely stabilized salmon fishing industry. Read more from CalMatters’ Rachel Becker.
- Salton Sea: Gov. Gavin Newsom on Friday announced the state’s first new conservancy in more than 15 years. The conservancy board is tasked with directing state resources toward managing the habitat and improving the air quality of Southern California’s Salton Sea. The shrinking sea’s toxic dust has been linked to asthma and other health issues in nearby communities. Read more from CalMatters’ Deborah Brennan.
California Voices
Two views on Los Angeles County’s $4 billion settlement related to thousands of sexual abuse claims in county-run juvenile facilities and foster homes:
Instead of confronting the county’s failures in the wake of the settlement, policymakers want legislation that would deny some survivors the right to seek civil damages for the harm they suffered as children, writes Chantel Johnson, directing advocate at the Youth Law Center.
Potentially false claims tied to the settlement should prompt the state to conduct an audit of the settlement process, and the Legislature should hold oversight hearings to probe how this settlement was negotiated and approved, write Curtis Chambers and Regino Torres Jr., presidents of the L.A. County Deputy Probation Officers Union and the Supervising Deputy Probation Officers Union, respectively.
Other things worth your time:
CA Rep. Khanna faces tech-backed challenger as Silicon Valley support fractures // The Mercury News
Trump fires entire SF Presidio Trust board, all Biden appointees // San Francisco Chronicle
States, including CA, are learning the wrong lesson from the ‘Mississippi Miracle’ // The Atlantic
Meta, Oracle and Qualcomm share details on layoffs across CA // Los Angeles Times
UTLA reaches tentative agreement with LAUSD, one step closer to averting strike // EdSource
Why city officials are warning that the Olympics could bankrupt LA // LAist
LA County cities weigh the data center question in the face of AI surge // Los Angeles Daily News
Doubts deepen about San Diego warships’ ability to clear mines from Strait of Hormuz // The San Diego Union-Tribune
