Rep. Eric Swalwell ends campaign for governor of California

(NBC, KYMA) - In the wake of sexual misconduct allegations, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) has announced that he is ending his run for governor of California.

Rep. Swalwell has denied any wrongdoing and says he will fight these allegations.

With one post, Congressman Swalwell's nearly four month campaign for governor of California came to an end.

Just days earlier, the East Bay congressman was seen as the Democratic frontrunner, but reports from the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN Friday revealed allegations of sexual assault and misconduct from four women who used to work with him.

Swalwell denied all accusations Friday saying, "These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They're absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened and I will fight them with everything that I have."

But James Taylor, Professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco, says those denials could not turn the tide of public opinion.

"I said two days ago he had 48 hours, so I expected him not to make it till Monday, because of the way that the Democratic leadership in California, mainly Nancy Pelosi and even Gavin Newsom, who didn't say he should resign but that it should be taken seriously," Taylor explained.

The drumbeat continued through the weekend.

On Sunday morning, 55 former congressional and campaign staffers of Swalwell signed a public letter saying they believe the women's allegations, and calling on him to end his campaign and resign from Congress.

There are already efforts in Congress to hold votes to remove both Swalwell and Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas, who also faces sexual misconduct allegations.

Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) says he will vote to remove both men.

"These allegations are despicable and they demean the integrity of Congress," Rep. Donalds expressed.

The California governor's race still has a crowded field, particularly on the Democratic side.

"And the Democrats are going to have to consolidate now, I think more than before, behind another candidate because Swalwell came out of nowhere," Taylor remarked.

Democrats fear if they don't rally support soon, the state could wind up with its first Republican governor since 2011.

As for Swalwell, it appears he's been staying with a friend in Southern California, former gubernatorial candidate Steve Cloobeck, who told KNBC that while he could no longer support Swalwell's campaign, he offered him a place to stay for a few days.

"I have various people stay at my house and I was very concerned for his mental health. Okay? And I made sure he was okay. He is not here. He has left. I have no idea where he went. But, you know, he needed a couple of hugs, okay?" Cloobeck shared.

Swalwell was a former Dublin City Council member and prosecutor before serving in Congress for 13 years.