U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell announced his Eric Swalwell resignation from Congress on Monday, April 13, 2026, following a series of serious sexual misconduct and assault allegations. The California lawmaker confirmed his decision to quit in a social media post, ending a political career that had recently seen him positioned as a front-runner in the race for governor of California.
The resignation comes less than 24 hours after Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial campaign on Sunday, April 12, 2026. The rapid collapse of his political standing follows a torrent of accusations from multiple women, including a former staff member, which triggered widespread condemnation from both Democratic and Republican colleagues.
While Swalwell has denied the accounts of abusing women, the pressure from allies, staffers, and legal scrutiny became untenable. The timeline of his exit reflects a swift fall from grace, moving from a leading candidate for one of the nation’s most powerful governorships to a resigned member of the House of Representatives in a matter of days.
Resignation and the Exit from the Governor’s Race
The announcement on Monday marks the final step in a weekend of political turmoil for the Democratic Representative. On Sunday, Swalwell officially dropped his bid for the California governorship via a post on X (formerly Twitter), citing the need to handle personal legal battles away from a political campaign NBC News.
In his statement regarding the campaign’s suspension, Swalwell wrote: “I am suspending my campaign for Governor. To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”
The decision to step down from both the gubernatorial race and his seat in Congress followed intense pressure from close allies and the suspension of key endorsements. The move effectively removes him from the Democratic primary, which was scheduled for June 2, 2026 Los Angeles Times.
Details of the Sexual Misconduct Allegations
The catalyst for the resignation was a series of reports published on Friday, April 10, 2026, detailing allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. According to reports, a total of four women have accused the congressman of misconduct Los Angeles Times.
The most severe allegations were brought forward by a former staff member who worked for Swalwell from 2019 until 2021. In a report by the San Francisco Chronicle, the woman alleged that while they had a consensual relationship at times, Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two separate occasions when she was too intoxicated to provide consent NBC News.
The San Francisco Chronicle reported that it corroborated the staffer’s account through several pieces of evidence, including:
- Text messages sent by the woman to a friend three days after one of the alleged encounters, stating she had told Swalwell to stop.
- Interviews with the woman’s boyfriend at the time, who confirmed she had informed him of the assault.
- Medical records indicating the woman sought pregnancy and STD tests following the incidents.
In addition to the former aide, three other women have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, including the sending of unsolicited nude photographs Los Angeles Times. Swalwell has consistently maintained that these allegations are false.
Legal Investigations and Official Responses
Beyond the political fallout, Swalwell is facing formal legal scrutiny. The Manhattan district attorney’s office has confirmed We see investigating allegations regarding a 2024 encounter. A victim has alleged that this specific incident occurred in a Recent York City hotel Los Angeles Times.
The legal dimension of these claims has intensified the pressure on the lawmaker, as the investigation by the Manhattan DA indicates that the allegations span multiple years and jurisdictions. This legal jeopardy likely contributed to his decision to resign from Congress on Monday, April 13, as reported by the New York Times.
Political Fallout in California
The impact on the Democratic primary for the California governor’s race has been immediate. Before the allegations surfaced, Swalwell was considered a leading Democratic front-runner. Following the reports on Friday, the political landscape shifted rapidly as supporters distanced themselves from the candidate.
High-profile figures and organizations were among the first to withdraw their support. Senator Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) and the California Teachers Association both suspended their endorsements of Swalwell Los Angeles Times. Fellow Democratic gubernatorial candidates—including Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, and Matt Mahan—publicly called for Swalwell to withdraw from the contest.
The sudden exit of a primary front-runner less than two months before the June 2 primary is expected to reshape the race, leaving a vacuum among the Democratic electorate that other candidates are now positioned to fill.
| Date | Event | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| April 10 | Allegations Published | SF Chronicle and other outlets report sexual assault and misconduct claims by four women. |
| April 12 | Gubernatorial Bid Dropped | Swalwell announces on X that he is suspending his campaign for Governor of California. |
| April 13 | Congressional Resignation | Swalwell announces via social media that he will resign from his seat in Congress. |
The next confirmed checkpoint in this developing story will be the findings or official actions taken by the Manhattan district attorney’s office regarding the 2024 New York City hotel encounter. Further updates regarding the official date of his departure from Congress are expected as the resignation process is formalized.
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