WASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell said on Monday he will resign from the House of Representatives, bowing to pressure from both Democrats and Republicans to leave Congress or face expulsion following sexual misconduct allegations that upended his campaign for governor.
The California Democrat vowed to fight the allegations but said he must also “take responsibility and ownership” of his mistakes.
“Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong,” Swalwell said. “But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”
A growing number of Democrats had urged Swalwell to step down or risk expulsion.
Four women had accused him of sexual misconduct. One former staffer told CNN she was sexually assaulted, while others detailed conduct from Swalwell ranging from sending unsolicited images to non-consensual sexual contact.
It was not immediately clear how soon Swalwell’s resignation would take effect, but his departure will give House Republicans’ narrow majority a small cushion.
Republicans hold a 217-214 majority over Democrats. But Republican Representative-elect Clay Fuller of Georgia will be sworn in on Tuesday, and a Democrat is favored to win a special election in New Jersey on Thursday. If Swalwell’s resignation takes effect by the end of the week, Republicans would hold a 218-214 majority, giving Speaker Mike Johnson and his leadership team a little more breathing room to pass their legislative priorities.
It’s also unclear how Swalwell’s resignation will affect calls among members of Congress for other embattled lawmakers to resign.
Many Democrats who said Swalwell should no longer be in Congress said the same of Democratic Representative Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick of Florida and Republican Representatives Tony Gonzales of Texas and Cory Mills of Florida.
Each member is under an ethics investigation: Cherfilus-McCormick for allegedly stealing $5 million in federal disaster aid and using the money for her congressional campaign, Gonzales for an alleged affair with a former staffer who later died by suicide and Mills for alleged sexual misconduct and campaign finance violations.
Swalwell would need to be replaced in a special election. He represents a safe Democratic district but was not seeking another term in the House because he was running for governor until this week.
Story by Nolan D. McCaskill, Reuters. Additional reporting by Richard Cowan. Editing by Michael Learmonth, Andy Sullivan and Alistair Bell