Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA) publicly declared his resignation from Congress on Monday. This decision comes swiftly after he halted his California gubernatorial campaign amid a series of serious allegations of sexual misconduct, including claims of sexual assault.
In his statement, Swalwell confronted ongoing discussions about his potential expulsion from Congress, which intensified in recent hours.
“I acknowledge that efforts are underway for an immediate expulsion vote against me and several colleagues. Expelling anyone without due process, especially within days of an allegation, is unjust. However, it is also inappropriate for my constituents to have a distracted representative. Thus, I will resign from my congressional position,” Swalwell stated.
He followed up his announcement by denying the allegations while expressing remorse. “I sincerely apologize to my family, staff, and constituents for the errors in judgment I have made in the past,” he remarked, mentioning his intention to combat the serious, unfounded claims made against him.
“Yet, I must accept responsibility for my acknowledged mistakes,” he continued. Swalwell also indicated plans to collaborate with his staff and constituents to ensure a seamless departure in the upcoming days.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 13, 2026
The allegations first emerged publicly on April 10 and 11, reported by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN. One former staffer, who was employed in Swalwell’s congressional office from 2019 to 2021, claimed to have had sexual encounters with him during her tenure and accused him of sexually assaulting her on two occasions when she was incapacitated by alcohol.
One of the alleged incidents reportedly occurred in a New York City hotel room and is currently under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.
CNN has also covered allegations from three other women, detailing instances of inappropriate advances by Swalwell, including sending explicit messages and photos.
While Swalwell has admitted to some misconduct, he has firmly denied the criminal charges and suggested that he may pursue legal avenues against his accusers. He has characterized the scandal as politically motivated, as these allegations surfaced shortly before the California gubernatorial all-party primary.
Prior to the allegations, Swalwell was a prominent candidate in the race but suspended his campaign late on Sunday. This setback followed a rapid decline in his campaign’s viability, losing key endorsements—including backing from all members of Congress—while several staff members resigned in protest.
To fill Swalwell’s vacant seat, California Governor Gavin Newsom must issue a proclamation for a special election within 14 days, as mandated by state law.
The election will then follow a specific timeframe established by the California Elections Code, occurring on a Tuesday at least 126 days and no more than 140 days after the issuance of the proclamation.
