CALIFORNIA — Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign for governor of California on Sunday, one day after the Manhattan District Attorney's Office opened a criminal investigation into a sexual assault allegation against him. The allegation under investigation was alleged to have taken place in New York in 2024.

Four women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct and assault. He denied the allegations. "These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor. For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women," Swalwell said.

A former staffer accused Swalwell of raping her in New York during a CNN interview in which her face was obscured. The former staffer alleged that in September 2019, after going out for drinks with Swalwell, she woke up naked in his hotel bed with little recollection of the night. She also alleged that in 2019, Swalwell sent her inappropriate photos via Snapchat, requested nude photos from her, and asked her to perform oral sex in a parking lot.

The former staffer further alleged that in 2024 she met Swalwell for drinks in New York after a charity gala, became intoxicated, remembered pushing him away and telling him "no" while he forced himself on her, and woke up the next morning with vaginal bleeding and bruises. Text messages sent by the former staffer to a friend three days after the alleged 2024 incident show she wrote she was "sexually assaulted" by Swalwell.

All 21 of Swalwell's congressional backers withdrew their support. Major labor allies also withdrew support for his campaign. Both of California's U.S. senators and the state's lieutenant governor urged Swalwell to end his campaign.

Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called for a thorough investigation into the allegations. Pelosi said the allegations must be investigated and that the investigation should take place outside of a gubernatorial campaign.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna announced plans to force a vote to expel Swalwell over the allegations. Such a vote could occur as soon as midweek. Members of Congress from both parties said they could vote to expel Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzales over accusations of sexual misconduct.