Hours after sexual assault allegations from a former staffer and others surfaced against Rep. Eric Swalwell, supporters are backing away from the candidate as pressure builds for him to drop out of the California gubernatorial race.

Those who say Swalwell should exit the gubernatorial race include Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Adam Schiff, a major blow to the East Bay congressman.

“This extremely sensitive matter must be appropriately investigated with full transparency and accountability,” Pelosi said.

Rep. Jimmy Gomez said he was stepping down immediately as Swalwell’s campaign chair. “The congressman should leave the race now so there can be full accountability without doubt, distraction, or delay,” he said in a statement.

Sen. Ruben Gallego of Arizona, another Swalwell backer, also pulled his endorsement. “What is described is indefensible. Women who come forward with accounts like this deserve to be heard with respect, not questioned or dismissed,” Gallego wrote on X (opens in new tab).

The state’s labor groups are also fleeing.

One of Swalwell’s biggest donors, SEIU California, said (opens in new tab) it was suspending campaign activities and expenditures for the candidate. Just this month, SEIU contributed $2 million to a PAC it started for Swalwell.

The California Teachers Association said it was “immediately suspending” its support of the congressman’s bid for governor. “Our elected board will be meeting as soon as possible to follow our union’s democratic process to determine next steps,” the group said.

Others held back from calling for Swalwell to step down.

The California Federation of Labor Unions said it was “shocked” by the allegations and would meet to determine next steps. Rusty Hicks, chair of the California Democratic Party, said, “Any person engaged in misconduct must take responsibility and be held accountable for their actions — including a member of Congress and candidate for governor.”

A major independent expenditure committee, Californians for a Fighter in Support of Eric Swalwell, which raised $2 million from Uber and $1 million from businessman Stephen Cloobeck, said it was suspending its activities immediately.

The San Francisco Chronicle reported (opens in new tab) Friday an account from Swalwell’s former staffer that included allegations that the congressman pressed himself against her sexually. She also claims that the two engaged in sexual intercourse while she was too intoxicated to consent.

The Chronicle’s story (opens in new tab) was followed by a CNN article (opens in new tab) that accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct involving four women, including a former staffer who alleged rape. It was not immediately clear whether the former staffer in both reports is the same individual.

Lilly Rapson, a California Democratic Party delegate and family friend of Swalwell, told The Standard she is considering withdrawing her endorsement of him but wants to see what other stories may arise.

“These allegations are extremely troubling,” Rapson said. “I felt extremely sick reading the story.”

Opponents in the gubernatorial race have also called for Swalwell to step out of the contest, including San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan. Former state controller Betty Yee and State Superintendent Tony Thurmond also called on him to resign from Congress.

This is a developing story and will be updated.