Rep. Eric Swalwell Says He Is Resigning From Congress Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

Rep. Eric Swalwell said Monday that he will resign from Congress, days after a former staff member accused him of sexually assaulting her and three other women alleged sexual misconduct against him, including sending unsolicited nude photos.

Swalwell, who has represented his East Bay district since 2013, ended his campaign for California governor on Sunday, two days after the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN first reported the accusations. But he didn’t announce his intent to resign from Congress until Monday afternoon, amid an expected expulsion vote, a House Ethics Committee investigation and two possible criminal probes.

Even as he said he would step down, Swalwell maintained his innocence but apologized for “mistakes in judgment.”

“I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me,” he said. “However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”

“I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members,” he continued. “Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”

Swalwell did not say when he will resign, pledging to work with his staff “in the coming days to ensure they are able, in my absence, to serve the needs of the good people of the 14th congressional district.”

His colleagues in the House were planning to vote as soon as Wednesday to expel Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzalez, R–Texas, who has also been accused of sexual misconduct. Neither man has been criminally charged with wrongdoing, though local prosecutors in both California and New York announced this weekend that they are looking into the allegations that Swalwell raped a former staff member twice — in 2019 in Pleasanton and in 2024 in New York City, when she was too inebriated to consent.

A campaign to replace Swalwell in Congress next year was already underway, since he was running for governor and not seeking reelection. But the resignation could leave his seat open for the remainder of this year.

It will be up to Gov. Gavin Newsom to decide whether to hold a special election to replace Swalwell. If he does call for a vote, it would likely occur in August or September, with a potential runoff in November. The winner would serve the final weeks or months of Swalwell’s term.

This is a developing story, and it will be updated.