Former Rep. Eric Swalwell appeared positioned to lead California’s Democratic gubernatorial field after powerful state institutions and Newsom allies rallied behind the anti-Trump darling before his campaign’s sudden collapse. Explosive allegations that Swalwell sexually assaulted a former staffer and acted inappropriately with other women prompted his exit from the race and resignation from Congress, allegations he denies. Democratic leaders and the groups that backed him — including labor unions and interest groups — now face scrutiny over whether they missed red flags or ignored warnings about his rumored behavior.
SACRAMENTO — Before it all came crashing down, Eric Swalwell appeared on the cusp of rising to the top of the Democratic field in the California governor’s race. Swalwell had just announced a statewide tour and aired his first ad. The former prosecutor and Dublin city councilman launched his campaign on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in November, a comfortable setting for a politician who’d built a national reputation by appearing on cable news shows to attack President Trump. Influential forces in Sacramento had begun coalescing behind the then-Bay Area congressman, including some consultants and advisors close to Gov. Gavin Newsom. Newsom hasn’t endorsed, but his associates’ involvement lent credibility to Swalwell.
California’s Service Employees International Union, or SEIU, has formally endorsed Bay Area Congressman Eric Swalwell in California’s race for Governor. SEIU California is made up of 750 thousand workers, including nurses, janitors, healthcare workers, school employees, court staff, and city and county employees. The union says it’s backing East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell for Governor. In a statement, SEIU California described Swalwell as an advocate for working people and praised his willingness to take on the Trump administration. Swalwell is also among the leading Democrats according to recent polling.
Arnulfo De La Cruz is President of SEIU 2015, a union representing long-term caregivers. “This has not been a judgement of candidates, it has been who we feel aligns the most with our members, but is also able to win,” De La Cruz said. Clutching the SEIU endorsement is a significant step forward for Swalwell, especially in a state where organized labor wields tremendous political power. But in this race, labor’s support is somewhat divided. Former Representative Katie Porter secured endorsements from the Teamsters, the United Auto Workers, and the National Union of Healthcare Workers. Former LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa won over the State Building and Construction Trades. And former Attorney General Xavier Becerra is endorsed by the California State Council of Laborers.
The scrutiny now facing Democratic leaders and allied groups centers on whether adequate vetting occurred before extending such influential backing. Questions persist about the timing and nature of awareness regarding allegations against Swalwell, which had circulated in political circles for years prior to his gubernatorial bid. While Swalwell maintains his innocence and attributes the allegations to political motivations, the collapse of his campaign has triggered internal reviews within several organizations that had championed his candidacy.
Labor unions in California hold significant sway in Democratic primaries, often determining viability in statewide contests. The SEIU’s endorsement alone represented access to a vast grassroots network and financial resources capable of shaping early primary outcomes. Similar dynamics played out with other major unions aligning behind competing candidates, creating a fragmented labor landscape that reflected broader divisions within the state’s progressive coalition.
As of April 2026, no formal investigations have been announced by California state authorities regarding the allegations that led to Swalwell’s withdrawal from the race. The former congressman resigned from Congress following the allegations, though he continues to deny any wrongdoing. The focus has shifted to institutional accountability, with political analysts suggesting the episode may influence how future candidates are vetted by powerful interest groups in California’s increasingly competitive Democratic landscape.
What happens next remains uncertain, though the incident has already prompted discussions within labor circles about strengthening due diligence processes for candidate endorsements. No official timelines have been released for internal reviews by the organizations involved, but stakeholders indicate such evaluations are underway. For ongoing developments, readers can monitor official statements from SEIU California and other labor federations through their respective websites and press offices.
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