Rep. Eric Swalwell Resigns from Congress Amid Misconduct Allegations
Eric Swalwell resigns from Congress 2026
WASHINGTON — Representative Eric Swalwell of California officially announced his resignation from the House of Representatives on Monday, April 13, 2026, marking a dramatic end to a decade-long career in federal office. The decision comes less than 24 hours after he suspended his frontrunner campaign for California governor and just three days after explosive reports first detailed allegations of sexual assault and misconduct against him.
In a statement shared on social media, the seven-term Democrat acknowledged that while he intends to fight what he called “serious, false” allegations of assault, he must take responsibility for “mistakes in judgment” that have made it impossible for him to serve his constituents without distraction. According to reporting from CalMatters, Swalwell noted his awareness of a growing bipartisan effort to force an immediate expulsion vote, stating that he chose to step down to avoid further disruption to the legislative body.
The resignation followed a weekend of rapidly escalating pressure from both sides of the aisle and a formal investigation launch by the House Ethics Committee. The bipartisan panel announced on Monday morning that it would scrutinize allegations that the congressman engaged in sexual misconduct with an employee under his supervision.
These allegations were first brought to light by the San Francisco Chronicle, which reported that a female former staffer accused Swalwell of sexually assaulting her twice—once in 2019 and again in April 2024—while she was too intoxicated to provide consent. As detailed by the Associated Press, three additional women subsequently came forward via CNN alleging that Swalwell had sent them unsolicited explicit photographs and suggestive messages via Snapchat.
Political leaders across the country had spent the weekend distancing themselves from the once-promising gubernatorial candidate. High-ranking Democrats, including several who had previously endorsed his run for governor, called for his immediate departure from public life as the Manhattan District Attorney’s office confirmed it would also open a criminal probe into the 2024 incident.
Swalwell’s departure from Congress will trigger a special election in his East Bay-based district, a safe Democratic stronghold that he had held since 2012. According to updates from The Guardian, the House Ethics Committee’s investigation may still proceed despite his resignation if lawmakers seek to create a formal record of the findings. The swiftness of his fall has stunned the California political establishment, which had seen him as a top contender to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom.
The fallout from the scandal is expected to reshape the 2026 California gubernatorial primary, which is less than two months away. With the field’s former frontrunner now out of the race and the public eye, remaining candidates such as Tom Steyer and Katie Porter are expected to see a surge in donor interest and polling support. Swalwell’s exit statement emphasized his desire to protect his family from further public scrutiny as he prepares for the legal battles ahead.
As reported by the San Francisco Chronicle, the congressman’s resignation date has not been finalized, but he indicated he would step aside as soon as a transition plan for his office is established. For now, the focus shifts to the criminal and ethical investigations that will determine the final legal outcome for the former rising star of the Democratic Party.
