Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) speaks during a House Democratic hearing commemorating the 5th anniversary of the storming of the Capitol on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Capitol Visitor Center.
Tom Williams | CQ-Roll Call Inc. | Getty Images
Rep. Eric Swalwell, the top Democratic candidate for California governor, resigned from Congress on Monday following allegations of sexual misconduct.
Swalwell announced his resignation in a statement posted to his X account, but still denied some of the allegations made against him in recent days.
“I deeply apologize to my family, staff, and constituents for the errors of judgment I made in the past,” Swalwell said in a statement. “I intend to fight the serious and false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and accountability for the mistakes I made.”
Mr. Swalwell, 45, joined Congress in 2013 and was a front-runner in California’s gubernatorial race until he suspended his campaign on Sunday. Although he ran for president in 2019, the San Francisco Chronicle on Friday reported that a former congressional aide to Swalwell has alleged a series of sexual encounters with Swalwell while he was her boss. The woman alleged that Mr. Swalwell sexually assaulted her twice when she was too drunk to consent.
CNN reported Friday that three other women also allege that Swalwell engaged in “various types of sexual misconduct,” including unsolicited explicit messages and nude photos.
Mr. Swalwell has repeatedly denied these allegations.
His resignation comes amid growing calls for his ouster from his fellow lawmakers over the weekend, and the House Ethics Committee announced on Monday that it would launch an investigation into his conduct.
“I am aware of efforts to vote immediate expulsion against me and other members,” Swalwell said in a statement Monday. “It’s wrong to expel a member without due process within days of an allegation being made. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to allow me to be distracted from my job. Therefore, I will resign my seat in Congress.”
Florida Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna had announced plans to introduce a resolution to expel Swalwell.
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D.M.) is among a large group of Democratic lawmakers who have said they support such a resolution. Fernandez announced on Sunday that he would introduce another expulsion measure to remove Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R-Texas), who has been dogged by allegations of an affair with a staffer who later committed suicide.
Mr. Gonzalez, who has admitted to the affair and said he will not run for re-election, announced in a letter to Mr. X on Monday that he would submit his resignation when the House reconvenes on Tuesday.
“There is a season for everything, and God has a plan for all of us,” Gonzalez said. “When Congress reconvenes tomorrow, I will submit my resignation. It is my honor to serve the great people of Texas.”
