US Congressman Eric Swalwell has dropped out of the California governor race following growing pressure over sexual misconduct allegations.
The Democrat has been accused by four women of misconduct ranging from sexual harassment to rape. He has denied the claims and vowed to defend himself with facts.
Top allies had called on him to exit the gubernatorial race, in which he was projected as one of the frontrunners among Democratic candidates.
His departure comes at a pivotal moment in the wide-open primary race, just weeks before voters receive postal ballots ahead of the 2 June election to replace outgoing Governor Gavin Newsom and to lead the nation's most populous state.
Swalwell announced, I am suspending my campaign for governor. 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 suspend his campaign comes two days after the first allegations emerged in the San Francisco Chronicle, detailing inappropriate comments and solicitation for sex from a former staff member.
The woman accused Swalwell of making sexual advances shortly after she was hired and later claimed she woke up naked in his hotel room with little recollection of the preceding events.
The story was corroborated by text messages and accounts from her former boyfriend. Within hours of the allegations surfacing, Swalwell lost the backing of prominent supporters, including Senator Adam Schiff and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Swalwell vehemently denied the allegations, expressing his commitment to defending his reputation and focusing on his family.
The California primary has opened the field to at least 10 candidates, both Democrat and Republican, and the top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November.
