Rep. Eric Swalwell of California says he will resign from Congress after sexual assault allegations

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California announced Monday he will resign from Congress following multiple sexual assault allegations that prompted loud bipartisan calls for him to step down.

The decision caps a swift political fall for the seven-term lawmaker, who had been seen as a frontrunner in California's gubernatorial race before dropping out as the allegations surfaced, claims he has continued to deny.

The San Francisco Chronicle, followed by CNN, first reported allegations that Swalwell had sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him. CNN also reported that three other women alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by Swalwell — including sending them unsolicited explicit messages or nude photos.

"I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," Swalwell said on social media. "I will fight the serious false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make."

The House Ethics Committee had begun an investigation into whether Swalwell engaged in sexual misconduct toward an employee working under his supervision, the panel announced Monday. The announcement came one day after Swalwell suspended his campaign for California governor.

Several Democrats had called on him to step aside. Swalwell wrote in a statement posted to social media that he was "aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote" and that it was "wrong" without due process.

"But it's also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress," Swalwell wrote.

Swalwell's planned departure will trigger a special election in his district, located outside San Francisco, which he won by over 30 percentage points in 2024. In California, the governor is responsible for calling a special election, which he must do "within 14 calendar days of the occurrence of the vacancy," according to state election law.

The Ethics Committee said the mere fact that it is investigating these allegations, and publicly disclosing its review, does not itself indicate that any violation has occurred.