Rep. Eric Swalwell will resign from the U.S. House of Representatives, leaving his office before the end of his term amid a flurry of calls for him to resign due to allegations of sexual misconduct against a former staffer and other women.
Swalwell announced he would resign in a statement on Monday, although he did not give details on which specific day he would vacate the seat. The announcement comes one day after he suspended his campaign in the California governor’s seat.
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell wrote in a statement. “I will fight the serious, false allegations made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”
The resignation comes as Swalwell was sure to face an effort from his colleagues on both sides of the aisle to expel from Congress if he didn’t voluntarily step down. The House Ethics Committee announced on Monday it opened an investigation “with respect to allegations that he may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards an employee working under his supervision.”
Reports came out against Swalwell late last week revealing allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, prompting several Democrats to rescind their endorsements and his eventual withdrawal from the California governor’s race.
Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said she would lead a resolution to expel Swalwell, noting she would support efforts to remove him and three other lawmakers if needed.
“I don’t care what the party affiliation is, if they are corrupt and engaging in illegal activity in Congress I’m going to vote to expel them,” Luna said in a post on X. “It is time Congress has a good house cleaning.”
Swalwell’s resignation could increase pressure on other House members who face similar allegations and have also been called on to resign. Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, also faces charges of sexual misconduct toward a staffer, which has been under investigation by the House Ethics Committee since earlier this year.
The San Antonio Express-News reported in February that Gonzales allegedly had an affair with one of his staffers, who later died by suicide. Gonzales confessed to the affair and suspended his reelection bid, but stopped short of saying he would resign.
Other members facing calls for their removal include Florida Democratic Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who faces fraud charges, and Florida Republican Rep. Cory Mills, who is under investigation for sexual misconduct and possible violence.