Swalwell Announces He Will Step Down from Congress, Apologizes for 'Mistakes' But Denies Sexual Assault

Swalwell Announces He Will Leave Congress

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California announced on Monday, April 13, 2026, that he will step down from Congress, bringing a sudden and dramatic end to a 14-year political career. The announcement came just one day after he suspended his campaign for California governor amid mounting sexual misconduct allegations from four women.

In a statement released Monday, Swalwell said he had made the painful decision to leave the House of Representatives, apologizing to his constituents, family, and colleagues for what he called "mistakes in judgment." However, he continued to deny the most serious allegations against him — specifically the claims of sexual assault — calling them false and politically motivated.

"I am announcing that I will step down from Congress. To my constituents, my family, my staff, and my colleagues, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I have made. But I must be clear: the allegations of sexual assault against me are false, and I will spend whatever time I have left in private life fighting to clear my name." — Rep. Eric Swalwell

An Apology With Caveats

Swalwell's statement drew a careful distinction between acknowledging "mistakes" — which sources close to him indicate may relate to inappropriate communications or behavior short of assault — and the more serious accusations of rape and sexual assault made by four women in separate accounts published in recent days.

"He is owning the things he can own," one Democratic colleague said privately. "But he is fighting the assault charges because he says those didn't happen."

The four women who have come forward include a former campaign staffer, a lobbyist, and two other women who worked in Washington circles. Their accounts range from unwanted advances and sexual harassment to allegations of rape. Swalwell's legal team has denied all accounts and has indicated they plan to pursue legal action against some of the accusers.

Ethics Committee Had Already Opened an Investigation

Earlier Monday, the House Ethics Committee confirmed it had opened a formal investigation into whether Swalwell violated House rules in connection with the allegations. That investigation is now expected to be wound down following his resignation announcement, though legal proceedings related to the criminal allegations could still proceed.

A Manhattan District Attorney investigation into a specific allegation that Swalwell sexually assaulted a woman in New York City in 2024 remains ongoing, as does a separate Department of Homeland Security inquiry into allegations he illegally employed a nanny.

Bipartisan Calls Had Been Overwhelming

The resignation announcement came after an avalanche of pressure from lawmakers in both parties:

• Rep. Andrea Salinas (D-OR) had called the allegations "serious, credible, and demanding of accountability."
• Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) had announced plans to file legislation to expel Swalwell if he didn't resign.
• Rep. Nellie Pou (D-NJ) said Swalwell had "betrayed his constituents, staff, and oath of office."
• More than 50 former Swalwell staffers had signed an open letter calling on him to resign from Congress immediately.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other senior Democrats had made clear that Swalwell's continued presence in Congress was untenable. Republicans had also lined up in favor of expulsion, meaning any vote would likely have achieved the required two-thirds majority.

A Stunning Fall from Grace

Swalwell, 45, had represented a Northern California district outside Oakland since 2012 and was once considered a rising star in the Democratic Party. He ran for president in 2020 and had been leading polls in California's 2026 governor's race to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Within a matter of days, his entire political career unraveled. The speed of his collapse stunned even seasoned Washington observers.

His congressional seat will now be subject to a special election in California's 14th Congressional District. Democrats hold a firm majority in the district, but the seat's vacancy adds one more pressure point to an already precarious House majority for Republicans heading into the November midterms.