Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., speaks through the Home Democrats listening to marking the 5 yr anniversary of the assault on the Capitol, within the Capitol Customer Heart on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026.
Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Name, Inc. | Getty Photos
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a former Democratic frontrunner within the California gubernatorial race, resigned from Congress on Monday amid sexual misconduct allegations.
Swalwell introduced his resignation in a press release posted to his X account, whereas nonetheless denying among the allegations made in opposition to him in latest days.
“I’m deeply sorry to my household, employees, and constituents for errors in judgment I’ve made in my previous. I’ll battle the intense, false allegation made in opposition to me. Nevertheless, I need to take duty and possession for the errors I did make,” Swalwell stated within the assertion.
Swalwell, 45, got here to Congress in 2013 and had been a prime contender within the California governor’s race earlier than suspending his marketing campaign on Sunday. He briefly ran for president in 2019. However the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Friday {that a} former congressional aide to Swalwell alleged a collection of sexual encounters whereas he was her boss. The girl alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two events when she was too intoxicated to provide consent.
CNN additionally reported on Friday that three different girls alleged “varied sorts of sexual misconduct” by Swalwell, together with unsolicited express messages and nude pictures.
Swalwell has repeatedly denied these allegations.
His resignation got here amid rising requires his expulsion from his congressional colleagues over the weekend and because the Home Ethics Committee introduced on Monday it was opening an investigation into his conduct.
“I’m conscious of efforts to deliver a right away expulsion vote in opposition to me and different members,” Swalwell stated in his assertion on Monday. “Expelling anybody in Congress with out due course of, inside days of an allegation being made, is flawed. Nevertheless it’s additionally flawed for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Due to this fact, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., had introduced her plans to introduce a decision to expel Swalwell.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández, D-N.M., was one in every of a large group of Democrats who stated they might assist such a decision. Fernandez on Sunday stated she would introduce a separate expulsion measure to take away Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who has been dogged by allegations that he had an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide.
Gonzales in March introduced he wouldn’t search reelection, however thus far has not been formally disciplined by Congress. The Home Ethics Committee can also be investigating Gonzales.
“As I’ve stated, Gonzales and Swalwell will not be match to serve in Congress given their sexual transgressions in opposition to girls who work for them. They need to resign or be expelled,” Fernandez stated in a submit to X.