U.S. Rep. Eric Swallwell, D-Calif., said Monday he will resign from Congress after multiple allegations of sexual assault.
Swalwell dropped out of California’s gubernatorial race, in which he was regarded as a front runner. A former member of Swalwell’s staff told the San Francisco Chronicle that the congressman sexually asssaulted her. Three more women accused Swalwell of making sexual advances and sending explicit photos.
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell wrote in a statement. “I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility for the mistakes I did make.”
The U.S. House Ethics Committee announced Monday it opened an investigation into the sexual misconduct allegations against Swalwell.
“The mere fact that it is investigating these allegations, and publicly disclosing its review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred,” committee leaders wrote in a statement.
Swalwell cited efforts to begin an “immediate expulsion vote” against him in Congress. He criticized House leadership for attempting a vote without due process.
“It’s wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties,” Swalwell wrote in the statement.
California’s 14th Congressional District, where Swalwell represents in the East Bay Area near San Francisco, will hold a special election in his place. In California, the governor is responsible for calling a special election within 14 days of a vacancy.
Swalwell won his last election, in 2024, by 30 points in a traditionally Democratic district. The candidate to replace Swalwell would need to run again in California’s June 2 primary and Nov. 3 general election.
“I will work with my 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,” Swalwell wrote.
Swalwell was among leading Democratic gubernatorial candidates. A recent University of California, Berkeley poll showed him tied with former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter of Orange County, with each at 13% of the support. Republican candidates Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host, and Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff, led the poll with 17% and 16% respectively. Tom Steyer, a Democratic billionaire who funded the successful campaign to pass congressional redistricting in California, has 10%, according to the poll, which listed 5% or less for each of the five other Democratic candidates.
Swalwell’s name will remain on the June 2 gubernatorial primary ballot, despite the fact he quit the race. The deadline has already passed to withdraw a name from the ballot.
Southwest Regional Editor Dave Mason contributed to this story.