Matt Ortega, Democratic candidate for California’s 14th Congressional District, issued the following statement on allegations against Eric Swalwell.

The allegations of sexual harassment and assault made against Eric Swalwell are disturbing.

Swalwell carved out a national profile as a champion in the fight against sexual predator Donald Trump. He has claimed in his bid for governor he would “protect” California from Trump.

But who would protect us from him?

Our nation is confronted with many problems. At the very core is one of a festering moral rot. Elite impunity is an existential threat to our future. It undermines public trust in our institutions. It also discredits our moral authority with our children. There is no sweeping our own complicity under the rug when they will one day come to realize we allowed this rot to threaten them, too.

The current president is a serial sexual predator and probably worse. If Swalwell’s words on this matter held any meaning, his actions would match. California cannot afford compromised leaders at this critical moment.

Eric Swalwell must end his bid for governor and resign from Congress.

I call on my fellow candidates in California’s 14th Congressional District to join me.