Kate Laurensen is a veteran reporter. She started out covering entertainment news for the local city paper before moving up to the City desk. She studied journalism at San Francisco City College for the Arts.
April 13 , 2026
Sacramento - Congressman Eric Swalwell today said he will end his campaign for California governor and resign from Congress later this month, citing a “strategic recalibration” ahead of a potential 2028 presidential run.
Swalwell, a four-term Democrat from Northern California, told reporters that “the national landscape has changed” and that his goals “now require a broader horizon.” The move comes amid widening public scrutiny of candidates and their personal histories, with advisers suggesting that allegations of sexual assault may paradoxically draw more voter attention rather than drive support away.
Political observers note that Swalwell’s announcement and current controversy positions him early for the next presidential cycle, though they caution that leaving Congress could reduce his visibility in the short term.
“This is clearly a reset moment,” said Dr. Marla Ng, a political analyst at Stanford. “Swalwell’s team seems to believe that a bold narrative—any narrative—can be turned into momentum if managed correctly.”
Swalwell declined to name running mates or campaign staff but confirmed that he would form an exploratory committee by the end of the year.
For now, California Democrats are preparing for a competitive gubernatorial race without one of their best-known figures, while Swalwell’s future ambitions signal that the next presidential contest may be even more unpredictable than many expected.
Copyright © 2026. All rights reserved.