Eric Swalwell, who has served in the House of Representatives since 2013, announced his resignation on April 13, 2026, following multiple allegations of sexual assault. Prior to these allegations, Swalwell was considered a frontrunner in California’s gubernatorial race, having won his district by a significant 30 percentage points in the 2024 election.
The House Ethics Committee had opened an investigation into the allegations, which included accusations from four women, one of whom was a former staff member. These allegations prompted bipartisan calls for Swalwell to resign, culminating in his announcement that he would step down. In a statement, Swalwell expressed remorse, saying, “I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.” He also stated his intention to fight the allegations, asserting, “They did not happen; they have never happened.”
Swalwell’s resignation will trigger a special election in his district, with California Governor Gavin Newsom required to call the election within 14 days of the vacancy. Observers note that the special election could take between 126 to 140 days to occur following the proclamation.
In the wake of Swalwell’s resignation, the Ethics Committee’s investigation was halted, raising questions about the future of the allegations. Notably, the Manhattan district attorney’s office has opened its own investigation into one of the claims against him.
Senator Ruben Gallego weighed in on the situation, stating, “I support the ethics committee’s investigation and believe Eric Swalwell is no longer fit to be a Member of Congress.” This sentiment reflects a growing consensus among some lawmakers regarding the seriousness of the allegations.
As Swalwell steps away from his congressional role, he also suspended his campaign for governor just a day prior to his resignation announcement. The political landscape in California is now shifting, with potential candidates already positioning themselves for the upcoming special election.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the exact timeline of Swalwell’s official departure from Congress and whether Governor Newsom will promptly call for a special election to fill the vacancy. The situation continues to evolve as more information becomes available.
