San Francisco Democratic Party Chair Nancy Tung released a statement on Sunday urging support for victims of sexual assault and harassment, and calling for Representative Eric Swalwell to drop out of the race for governor. The statement was made in light of explosive allegations made against Swalwell by a former aide last week. The statement came shortly before the East Bay congressman announced on social media that he was suspending his campaign.
“While details will continue to come to light in an investigation regarding the allegations against Eric Swalwell, I do not have confidence in his ability to campaign effectively nor unite California Democrats with the rapidly approaching primary in June. I urge Eric Swalwell to end his campaign and exit the governor’s race immediately,” Tung said in the statement, which was emailed to Democratic voters on Sunday afternoon. “This request is not a judgment of guilt, but a recognition of the responsibility we share to uphold the values of our party and the confidence of the voters we serve.”
Tung also referenced revelations about the conduct of California Democratic figure and labor organizer Cesar Chavez, the result of an investigation by the New York Times published in March. She made combating sexual abuse in the political activism space a significant element of her platform as party chair.
Meanwhile, on Friday the California Police Chiefs Association announced that it was suspending its endorsement of Swalwell. “While these matters remain unresolved and subject to further review, the Association believes it is appropriate to take a measured and responsible approach at this time,” said a statement sent to media outlets by Jonathan Feldman, a spokesman for the group.
Swalwell, D-Livermore, had been considered a frontrunner in the race for governor until the allegations, which are widely considered credible, were reported by Cable News Network and the San Francisco Chronicle. He announced that he was suspending his campaign Sunday evening.
Swalwell’s withdrawal from the race, along with President Donald Trump’s earlier endorsement of Republican frontrunner Steve Hilton, promises to shake up the race significantly. The most recent poll, conducted by David Binder Research for the Service Employees International Union, had the congressman following close behind frontrunner Hilton.
