One day after suspending his campaign for California governor over sex assault and misconduct allegations, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, said Monday he will resign from his congressional seat, but insisted he will continue to fight the “serious, false allegation” against him.
The announcement came one day after Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor.
“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 Monday. “I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.
“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. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.
“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.”
The firestorm over the sexual misconduct allegations erupted Friday when the San Francisco Chronicle published a story alleging that a female employee had a consensual relationship with the married congressman, including sexual encounters with Swalwell while working for him. She further claimed he sexually assaulted her on two occasions when she was drunk and unable to give her consent, according to the Chronicle.
Later in the day, CNN reported three more women had accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including sending unsolicited nude photos.
On Sunday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced it was investigating Swalwell for possibly hiring a domestic worker in the country illegally — the latest blow for the embattled candidate who was already facing sexual misconduct allegations.
“USCIS has been collecting information on the allegations involving Congressman Eric Swalwell hiring of a Brazilian national as a nanny without lawful work authorization,” the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said in a post on X. “@USCIS has referred this matter to DHS law enforcement for investigation. No one is above the law, including a member of Congress.”
The allegations led to immediate calls for him to back out of the California gubernatorial campaign, which Swalwell did on Sunday. But the pressure continued to mount for him to surrender his seat in Congress.
On Monday, the House Ethics Committee announced it was launching an investigation into his alleged actions. The committee issued a statement saying it would probe allegations that Swalwell “may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards and employee working under his supervision.”
On Saturday, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Florida, said she planned to file a motion to expel Swalwell from office, which would require a two-thirds vote from the House of Representatives.
In New York on Saturday, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced plans to investigate the allegation from the former staffer who accused Swalwell of having sex with her when she was heavily intoxicated after a night of drinking with him in New York City in April 2024 and unable to consent.
Swalwell disputed the allegations in a social media video Friday.
“A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations,” Swalwell said. ” … These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen; they have never happened, and I will fight them with everything I have.
“They also come on the eve of an election where I have been the front-runner candidate for governor in California. I do not suggest to you in any way that I’m perfect or that I’m a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past. But those mistakes are between me and my wife, and to her I apologize deeply for putting her in this position. I also apologize to you if in any way you have doubted your support for me, but I think you know who I am. For over 20 years, I have served the public as a city councilman, as a member of Congress, and as a prosecutor who went to court on behalf of victims, particularly on behalf of sexual assault victims.”
He elaborated in a statement to NBC4.
“For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman — and have always protected women,” he said. “I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action.”
The station reported that Swalwell, 45, met with his family Friday in the San Francisco Bay Area although the outcome was unclear. He and his wife, Brittany Watts, have three children.
A chorus of elected officials and political organizations had since withdrawn their support for Swalwell and/or publicly urged him to withdraw from the race. Those included Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, former Mayor and current gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles, San Jose Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Matt Mahan, State Superintendent of Public Instruction and gubernatorial candidate Tony Thurmond, and both of California’s Democratic senators, Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff.
The Service Employees International Union California and the California Teachers Association rescinded their endorsements. Californians for a Fighter, an independent group supporting Swalwell, said the group was “suspending campaign activity immediately” in light of the allegations, and the fundraising platform ActBlue has stopped accepting donations for his campaign.
California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks called the accusations “deeply disturbing.”
“First, the stories of victims and survivors should be heard and believed. Period,” Hicks said. “Second, any person engaged in misconduct must take responsibility and be held accountable for their actions — including a member of Congress and candidate for governor.”
Incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is termed out, had not called on Swalwell to drop his campaign, but said in a statement, “As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously.”
Gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa, formerly an L.A. mayor and Speaker of the California State Assembly, released a statement Sunday evening calling for Swalwell’s resignation from Congress.
“Enough is enough. Suspending his campaign is not sufficient, Eric Swalwell must resign his position in Congress and completely withdraw from the governor’s race immediately,” Villaraigosa said.
He added, “I continue to support the courageous survivors who have come forward. We need to provide a safe space for any more women who are ready to be heard. And Swalwell must be held accountable for his actions.”
National President of the National Organization for Women Kim Villanueva also issued a statement Sunday evening calling for Swalwell’s resignation.
“Rep. Swalwell made the right decision to drop out of the California gubernatorial race. Now, he should take the next step and resign from Congress. We believe women,” Villanueva said.