A senior Democratic lawmaker has stepped down from Congress under mounting pressure tied to serious misconduct allegations, shaking party leadership and halting a high-profile political career.
Eric Swalwell announced Monday that he will resign from the House of Representatives as scrutiny intensified over accusations of sexual assault and inappropriate behavior. The move follows days of public backlash, internal party criticism, and a formal ethics investigation.
“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 said.
The resignation came just one day after Swalwell, 45, suspended his campaign for governor of California. Once seen as a leading contender, his political trajectory shifted rapidly after allegations surfaced last week.
Reports gained traction after at least four women shared accounts with major outlets, including CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle. Their claims range from unwanted advances to accusations of rape. Swalwell has denied the most serious allegations and signaled he intends to fight them.
“To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” he had said in a post Sunday announcing he would suspend his bid for governor. “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”
The House Ethics Committee had already launched an inquiry into whether Swalwell “may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards an employee working under his supervision.” His resignation effectively brings that investigation to a close.
Democratic leaders responded quickly as the controversy escalated. Hakeem Jeffries and Nancy Pelosi were among those who withdrew support. More than 50 former staff members also called on Swalwell to step down.
Under California law, Gavin Newsom must call a special election within 14 days of the resignation taking effect. The district, located in the Bay Area, strongly favors Democrats and was carried by Kamala Harris over Donald Trump in 2024 by a wide margin.
The scandal has widened an ongoing debate in Washington over how Congress handles allegations of misconduct among its members. Lawmakers from both parties have recently faced similar scrutiny.
Tony Gonzales admitted earlier this year to an affair with a staff member who later died by suicide. He dropped his reelection bid but had not initially resigned. After Swalwell’s announcement, Gonzales indicated he would formally retire from Congress.
Meanwhile, Anna Paulina Luna has pushed for stricter accountability, calling for the removal of multiple lawmakers facing allegations.
“I don’t care what the party affiliation is, if they are corrupt and engaging in illegal activity in Congress I’m going to vote to expel them.” Luna wrote. “It is time Congress has a good house cleaning.”
