WASHINGTON – Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California has announced his resignation from Congress following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.
The decision marks a rapid political collapse for the seven-term lawmaker, who had been positioned as a leading contender in California’s gubernatorial race before withdrawing his candidacy after the allegations surfaced. The resignation follows bipartisan pressure for Swalwell to vacate his seat and comes as House leaders in both parties face heightened scrutiny over how they police misconduct within their ranks.
Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
The allegations were first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and subsequently detailed by CNN. Those reports state that Swalwell sexually assaulted a woman on two separate occasions, including one instance while the woman was employed by him, raising questions about potential abuses of power in a workplace governed by congressional ethics rules.
Additionally, CNN reported that three other women alleged various forms of sexual misconduct. These claims include the sending of nude photographs and unsolicited explicit messages.
In a statement posted to social media, Swalwell addressed the claims:
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”
Swalwell did not directly address each allegation in detail, but his statement signaled that he intends to contest at least some of the accusations even as he steps down from office.
Congressional Ethics and Expulsion Efforts
The House Ethics Committee announced it had launched an investigation into whether Swalwell engaged in sexual misconduct toward an employee under his supervision. The committee noted that the public disclosure of a review does not inherently indicate that a violation has occurred, a standard caveat in line with its mandate to determine whether a member’s conduct violates federal law, House rules or other applicable standards of conduct.
Parallel to the Ethics Committee’s probe, several members of Congress pushed for a rapid vote to expel the representative – one of the harshest penalties available under the U.S. Constitution, which allows each chamber of Congress to punish or expel a member with a two‑thirds vote. Swalwell addressed these efforts in his social media statement, writing that he was “aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote” and argued that such a move would be “wrong” without due process.
However, he added: “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 provide a specific timeframe for his departure, stating only that he would coordinate with staff to ensure the continuity of their work and constituent services during the transition.
Parallel Departure of Representative Tony Gonzales
The resignation of the California representative coincided with a similar announcement from the Republican side of the aisle, underscoring how allegations of personal misconduct are reshaping the current Congress. Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas announced he would file his “retirement from office.”
Gonzales, who had previously stated he would not seek reelection, gave no further details regarding the timing of his departure. He had previously acknowledged an affair with a staff member who later died by suicide. Like Swalwell, Gonzales had been facing renewed calls for an expulsion vote, reflecting a growing willingness among lawmakers to consider the chamber’s most severe disciplinary tools in cases involving alleged abuse of staff or misuse of office.
Political Career and National Security Controversies
An Iowa native, Swalwell was first elected to the House in 2012, representing a district east of San Francisco that includes parts of the Bay Area’s technology corridor. Over more than a decade in Congress, he built a profile that blended progressive domestic politics with a focus on national security and oversight of the intelligence community.
His political trajectory included:
- 2019: Launched a campaign for the presidency, which was shuttered a few months later after failing to gain traction in early polls and fundraising.
- Trump Opponent: Served as a prominent member of the House Judiciary and Intelligence committees and acted as a Democratic prosecutor during the second impeachment of Donald Trump following the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack, a role that elevated his national profile on cable news and within the party.
- 2023: Removed from the Intelligence Committee by then-House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who cited security concerns and longstanding Republican criticism of Swalwell’s judgment.
The 2023 removal followed reports of Swalwell’s contact with Christine Fang, a suspected Chinese spy. Fang reportedly interacted with Swalwell’s campaign during his 2012 run and assisted in fundraising for his 2014 campaign.
Federal investigators briefed Congress and alerted Swalwell to concerns regarding Fang in 2015, at which point Swalwell stated he ceased contact. A House Ethics Committee investigation into the matter, opened in 2021, closed two years later without taking action, leaving him formally cleared but politically damaged among Republicans who continued to invoke the episode in debates over access to classified information.
Special Election Requirements and Governance Impact
Swalwell’s departure will trigger a special election for his seat, which he won by over 30 percentage points in 2024, in a district that has been safely Democratic in recent cycles. Until his successor is sworn in, the vacancy will slightly narrow Democrats’ margin in California’s delegation and reduce their voting strength in the narrowly divided House on close partisan and procedural votes.
Under California state election law, the governor is mandated to call a special election “within 14 calendar days of the occurrence of the vacancy,” with the contest then administered under the state’s regular special-election calendar and ballot rules. Details on candidate filing deadlines and the timing of a potential runoff will depend on the date Gov. Gavin Newsom formally issues the writ of election.
The status of the House Ethics probe remains uncertain, as the committee frequently terminates investigations once a lawmaker resigns from office, a practice that can leave unresolved questions about accountability but removes the formal jurisdiction that depends on an individual’s status as a sitting member.
