On the morning of Friday, April 10, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., was considered to be the leading Democrat in the California gubernatorial primary. Four days later, Swalwell is not only bowing out of the race—but out of Congress entirely.
“I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong,” Swalwell said in a statement posted on X. “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’s statement read.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 13, 2026
“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,” Swalwell added. “However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”
Swalwell’s career was upended over the weekend when the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN published reports on Friday in which multiple unnamed women came forward accusing the California congressman of sexual assault.
Swalwell has repeatedly denied the allegations levied against him.
“These allegations are flat false,” Swalwell posted on X with a video statement attached. “And I will fight them.”
Despite Swalwell’s denials, more than 20 major Democrats and several large political organizations withdrew their endorsements of Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign.
By Sunday night, Swalwell had suspended his gubernatorial campaign.
As Congress prepared to return from a two-week recess on Tuesday, both Democrats and Republicans were calling on Swalwell to resign. Reports suggested that both Republicans and Democrats were considering an effort to expel problematic members such as Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas.
Prior to Swalwell’s Monday afternoon statement, the House Ethics Committee announced it would investigate the allegations against Swalwell.
