Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell announced this week that he’s leaving Congress amid sexual assault allegations, which he denies. This announcement abruptly follows the swift exodus of his supporters as he suspended his campaign for California governor.
Days ago, the 45-year-old congressman was a notable contender in the race to replace Gov. Gavin Newsom, who cannot seek a third term. His campaign quickly fell apart about 48 hours after allegations surfaced in the San Francisco Chronicle that he had sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she was employed by him. CNN later reported additional allegations from other women, including various forms of sexual misconduct.
Swalwell decided to suspend his gubernatorial campaign on Sunday, stating, “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.” Former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer, who had campaigned in the 2020 presidential election, are now competing to secure Swalwell’s former supporters as the primary approaches, with no clear frontrunner emerging.
Swalwell indicated on Monday that he would resign from Congress as bipartisan lawmakers began pressing for a vote to expel him, highlighting the potential political fallout from the allegations against him.
Allegations include sexual assault, nude photos, and explicit messages
The San Francisco Chronicle reported on a woman’s allegations stating that she was sexually assaulted by Swalwell in 2019, when he was her boss, and again in 2024. She claimed she was too intoxicated to consent to relations in both instances but did not report it to authorities due to fear of disbelief. CNN also reported matching allegations from the same woman, alongside accounts from additional women accusing him of sharing explicit images and messages.
Swalwell steadfastly asserts that the allegations are false, emphasizing that he would not remain in Congress if he is unable to perform his duties without distraction.
California governor’s race remains fluid
Swalwell’s exit signals an opportunity for contenders to gather support in the lead-up to the June 2 primary. Democrats including Steyer and Porter, alongside leading Republicans Chad Bianco and Steve Hilton, aim to secure two spots for the November slate.
The top two vote-getters in California's primary advance, regardless of party affiliation, and this election cycle presents a risk that Democratic candidates might split the vote, potentially allowing a Republican to capture the governorship in a historically blue state.
While this narrows the Democratic field, it’s too late for Swalwell to be removed from the primary ballot, and his departure leaves room for speculation regarding the general election landscape.
Special congressional election to come
Swalwell's announcement did not specify when he would step down from the House. Following his departure, California election laws mandate that the governor must call a special election to fill the vacancy within 14 days. Meanwhile, the House Ethics Committee has started investigating the allegations involving his conduct towards a subordinate, although investigations often cease when a lawmaker resigns.
Similarly, Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales has announced his own retirement from Congress amid pressure related to an alleged affair.
The rise before the fall
Swalwell, originally from Iowa, first entered Congress in 2012 and has represented a House district near San Francisco. He briefly launched a presidential bid in 2019 but withdrew shortly after. He played a significant role during Trump’s second impeachment trial and was involved in investigating potential ties between Trump’s associates and Russia.
