Swalwell Resigns Congress Seat Amid Assault Allegations

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California announced Monday he will resign from Congress following multiple sexual assault allegations that drew bipartisan calls for his removal and triggered a formal House Ethics Committee investigation.

The resignation ends a swift and dramatic political collapse for the seven-term lawmaker. Just days ago, Swalwell had been considered a serious contender for California's governorship. On Sunday, he suspended that campaign as the allegations mounted. By Monday afternoon, he was announcing he would vacate the congressional seat he first won in 2012 and held most recently by a margin of more than 30 percentage points.

Allegations first reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN included claims that Swalwell sexually assaulted a woman on two occasions, including while she was employed by his congressional office. CNN subsequently reported that three additional women alleged various forms of sexual misconduct, including receiving unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos from the congressman. Swalwell has denied the most serious allegation.

"I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," Swalwell said in a statement posted to social media. "I will fight the serious false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make."

The House Ethics Committee announced Monday it had opened an investigation into whether Swalwell engaged in sexual misconduct toward an employee under his supervision. The panel specified that its public disclosure of the probe does not itself indicate any violation occurred.

Swalwell acknowledged in his statement that he was "aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote" and called proceeding without due process "wrong." But he added: "It's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress."

Several Democrats — members of Swalwell's own caucus — had publicly called on him to step aside before he made the announcement.

His departure will create a vacancy in California's 14th Congressional District, located outside San Francisco. Under California state election law, Gov. Gavin Newsom must call a special election within 14 calendar days of the vacancy occurring.

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