Rep. Eric Swalwell resigns from U.S. House after sexual misconduct allegations

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: CNBCUpdated 3 Min Ago

Published Mon, Apr 13 2026 5:30 PM EDT Updated 10 Min Ago


Rep. Eric Swalwell, a former Democratic frontrunner in the California gubernatorial race, resigned from Congress on Monday amid sexual misconduct allegations. Swalwell announced his resignation in a statement posted to his X account, while still denying some of the allegations made against him in recent days.

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

Swalwell, 45, came to Congress in 2013 and had been a top contender in the California governor’s race before suspending his campaign on Sunday. He briefly ran for president in 2019. But the San Francisco Chronicle reported on Friday that a former congressional aide to Swalwell alleged a series of sexual encounters while he was her boss. The woman alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two occasions when she was too intoxicated to give consent.

CNN also reported on Friday that three other women alleged “various kinds of sexual misconduct” by Swalwell, including unsolicited explicit messages and nude photos. Swalwell has repeatedly denied these allegations.

Read more: https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/13/eric-swalwell-resigns-congress.html

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Link to tweet

Rep. Eric Swalwell
@RepSwalwell
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5:25 PM · Apr 13, 2026

Article updated.

Previous article -

Published Mon, Apr 13 2026 5:30 PM EDT Updated 3 Min Ago


Rep. Eric Swalwell, a former Democratic frontrunner in the California gubernatorial race, resigned from Congress on Monday amid sexual misconduct allegations.

Swalwell announced his resignation in a statement posted to his X account, while still denying some of the allegations made against him in recent days.

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


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Original article -

Published Mon, Apr 13 2026 5:30 PM EDT


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[bluescribbler]

1. I thought he was one of the good guys.

Why can't these guys keep it in their effing pants?

[somaticexperiencing]

20. you can say that again.

[Blue_Roses]

22. I just don't get it...

In this day and age of cameras everywhere and social media gossip right at the fingertips, they have to know eventually they will get caught.

[BigmanPigman]

36. Their small "brain" always overrides their big brain.

This is a gender that won't see a doctor unless their small brain is malfunctioning. Thousands and thousands of years and males are as primal as ever. They don't think, they act then make excuses for their behavior. Most of them are 100% hypocrites.

[blubunyip]

44. Agree-- It's a risk only the delusional or hopelessly predatory

would take these days. Probably better off that he's out. Was it worth it, Eric?

[PatSeg]

92. I know, it blows my mind

Last edited Wed Apr 15, 2026, 09:54 AM - Edit history (1)

So many men put so much on the line for sex. He had a very bright future ahead of him, but I doubt he can recover politically. What a price to pay for succumbing to one's urges.

[bdamomma]

98. Makes me

SMH.

[PatSeg]

99. Same here

And he will be regretting his mistakes for the rest of his life. Some men in our society need to grow up and get their priorities straight.

[3catwoman3]

43. "I thought he was one of the good guys."

So did I. Sooooooo disappointing.

For the record, I do not live in California.

[bluescribbler]

95. Nor do I.

I live in Massachusetts.

[HoosierDebbie]

86. This makes me so sick!

I thought he was one of the good guys too.

[bdamomma]

97. Exactly!!!!

[flamingdem]

2. Anyone know when, who will replace him?

Also, who will be in the lead in CA?

I read that Swalwell votes will tend to go to Porter.

[QueerDuck]

4. Porter? No thanks. California can do better.

[flamingdem]

7. Agree

Will take Steyer over Porter.

She will be a target and her personality will take center stage.

[Magoo48]

57. Humm

Porter was the best rep we’ve ever had here in SoCal. With her intellect, preparation, and ferocious tenacity.— she attacked CEOs and business leaders with a confident courage rarely seen in Congress. She will do a fine job wherever she ends up.

[DFW]

65. I agree.

She backed Nina Turner over Shontel Brown for a House seat in Ohio.

Anyone with THAT kind of judgment needs NOT to be running for Governor—not in California, not in Rhode Island, not Samoa, not anywhere. Not as a Democrat, anyway.

[spooky3]

5. FWIW, people who post on Threads say they are moving to Becerra. Nt

[flamingdem]

10. He would be great but what is his percentage now?

Hope it's going up.

[spooky3]

11. I think events have happened too quickly for polls to be done.

We may have to wait a week or two.

[Gaytano70]

25. I like him.

I read that he would be the first Latino governor of CA.

[tishaLA]

60. We'd have two Latino senators, which would be fantastic considering how antagonistically the WH views the community

We were, IIRC, the first state to have women as both our senators -- now we can be the first to have a Latino delegation.

[spooky3]

72. But isn't Becerra running for Governor? Nt

[tishaLA]

77. LOL yes. Brain fart

My apologies. I'm so embarrassed.

[spooky3]

78. Hey, it happens to us all! Nt

[spooky3]

75. Here is one of the threads on Threads that show growing support:

Post by @kate_forthepeople

View on Threads

?xmt=_--=1

[Wednesdays]

13. There will likely be a special election to replace him

My guess is that election will take place in the summer.

IIRC, the governor doesn't appoint members of the House as he can for the Senate.

[Wiz Imp]

48. Not likely, Definitely. Required by law.

[Lifeafter70]

14. The governor has to call a special election

That might not be until September.
I don't think there governor can appoint anyone to congress only the senate.

[IbogaProject]

18. Hmm maybe he should finish the term

No good choice but we need every seat we can filled.

[Lifeafter70]

30. Yeah that's rough I don't think he wants to risk an ethics hearing

The two Rs who are accused of similar violations won't resign and I don't know if anyone in their party will hold them accountable.

[MichMan]

32. Gonzalez is going to resign too

[Lifeafter70]

33. Oh I hadn't heard that.

Well that would even it out. I don't know what his states rules are in regards to appointing.

[Wiz Imp]

49. ALL seats in the House of Representatives require a Special Election to fill if vacated prior to the end of a term.

There is no different rules for different states.

[Lifeafter70]

50. Thank you I wasn't sure so I did look it up.

Yes they have the same rules.

[MichMan]

31. That would mean whomever won would only serve for a few months

[Lifeafter70]

35. Yeah not sure how Gavin will approach this

One good thing texas gov can't appoint either. I just looked it up.

[Lifeafter70]

52. Yes so maybe there will be a special election this summer.

I don't have a clue who will run
Maybe some of the dem candidates that are not polling well in the governors race will drop out and run for congress. It would be nice to narrow the field.

[IbogaProject]

90. They would then run in November as an incumbant

[TexasBushwhacker]

94. And for that reason, I wish Swalwell had simply retired

like Tony Gonzalez is doing. I can't imagine the House would still investigate Swalwell if he was leaving in November.

But by resigning immediately, we're short a vote in the House until after a special election. Then they bring someone in for a few months? This makes me think Swalwell really did some SERIOUSLY BAD SHIT.

Men and their peckers - getting in trouble for thousands of years!!!

[Gaytano70]

23. I'm not a Californian, but really like Becerra.

Anyone from CA have any opinions on him or anyone else in the running?

[GJGCA]

45. Betty Yee?

Long time public service and Yee has served as the vice chair of the California Democratic Party since May 2021. (Wikipedia)

[QueerDuck]

3. 😟😥

[usonian]

6. Gavin, please appoint one of them to thin the field.

I don't know if that's sarcasm or good sense.

[bsiebs]

12. Gavin cannot appoint a replacement, he can only schedule a special election.

[usonian]

58. Why not? Costs tons of money.

[niyad]

80. Read upthread.

[onenote]

85. Constitution. That's why not.

Article I, Section 2:
"When vacancies happen in the Representation from any state, the executive authority thereof shall issue writs of election to fill such vacancies.".

[usonian]

88. I figured it out, not being senate, laaaaaaater.

Been busy.

[edbermac]

8. And Trump gets away with this shit.

[generalbetrayus]

28. IOKIYAAR

[LetMyPeopleVote]

9. Statement from Congressman Swalwell

Link to tweet

[ABC123Easy]

15. Roger Stone

How long until we see Roger Stone taking credit as he did after Al Franken?

[onenote]

16. Did Stone force Stalwell to do what Stalwell essentially admits he did?

[ABC123Easy]

17. By

By essentially admitting you mean, "I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me."?

[onenote]

40. By admitting, for all intents and purposes, that he had inappropriate sexual relations with a staffer

in violation of Congressional rules.

[ABC123Easy]

47. Yep

That doesn't exist anywhere. Let me know when you find actual proof.

[Lifeafter70]

59. In his statement, he apologized to his family, staff

Constituents for mistakes he made. He said it was time he owned up to them.
He than went on to say he would fight the most serious allegation. Sounds to me he admitted to affairs just not to the one allegation that was non consensual.
So I guess serial adultery and dic pics are ok with you. In his mind drunk sex is consensual. Boys will be boys

[ABC123Easy]

66. Nope

He hasn't admitted anything.

[Lifeafter70]

68. Whatever

So what are these "mistakes" he is referring to and why did say he would fight "serious allegation" as in one allegation not all.
But you believe what you want
I will take him at his word.

[ABC123Easy]

69. Investigation

So you're opposed to "innocent until proven guilty", eh? You don't want to see any investigation, right? That's what you're essentially saying with your reasoning. You're just gonna believe whatever allegations you hear I guess.

Are you not aware of what Roger Stone has done in the past?

[Lifeafter70]

71. I'm done

I read their stories and recognized a grooming pattern unfortunately I know very well.

I supported him and he had my vote. I was heartbroken when I read their accounts.

Stone has nothing to do with this.

And yes I believe the women.

[ABC123Easy]

73. Allegations

There are allegations that Stone has something to do with this.

That means by your reasoning that you're obligated to believe it.

I never asked if you believe the women, I don't care if you do or not. Additionally, I'm not saying I do or don't believe them. I just want an investigation before we exile our best candidates. Is that so much to ask?

Hey, there's allegations the earth is flat. Tons of people coming out saying it is.

Allegations the moon landing was faked, must be true, right? Tons of people saying it was.

[Bengus81]

91. Before Stone was Karl Rove. Like Franken guilty right out of the box

He might be, let's see some kind of trial or something to prove him guilty and then I'd want to boot him.

[ABC123Easy]

93. Agreed

Totally agree. We owe ourselves an investigation at minimum.

[Marie Marie]

55. Not (as in NOT) defending him but I would be willing to bet that many, if not most,

of Male Congressman (maybe even some women) have had sex with and aide or two in their careers. And we do know of more than a few others where it didn't quite sound consensual. We take ours down, they seem to revere theirs - unless it becomes too much of an issue. And then there is Trump....

[Demobrat]

54. Did you miss the part that said

“I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make”?

[blue blues]

62. YES THAT IS SOME DOUBLE SPEAK THERE

Also, the sorry to my family..... Why if you didn't do anything wrong?

[ABC123Easy]

67. Nope

Shouldn't EVERYONE, (all of us) "... take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes....." we make?

It's crazy all the things I must be admitting to if I happen to say such things myself. I guess that makes me guilty of any allegations levied against me?

[somaticexperiencing]

19. unbelievable. one week after he was the frontrunner in the gubernatorial race and after yes doing so much good.

[lastTexasDem]

21. Un-effin-believable. So so so disappointing.

I thought he was one of the good ones. Only to find out he was/is like all the rest of them. Here’s some advice for the men (yes the men of the house and senate) keep you fcukin hands to yourself and your pee pee in your pants. I mean really … WTAF …

Replace them ALL. Time to start over.

[BigmanPigman]

37. I find that it saves time and energy by assuming they are guilty first

then go back and prove their "innocence". Older but wiser is my mantra.

[3catwoman3]

64. "...keep you fuckin' hands to yourself and your pee pee in your pants."

Basic good advice to men EVERYWHERE.

[FraDon]

24. How many Al Frankens did he last, between

first charges and exiting Congress (including his brief kamikaze run for Governor)?

[GJGCA]

26. Jimminy stinkin' cricket!

I thought we were at the "lawyer, guns, and money" stage, but this??!

[BigmanPigman]

38. When you wrote "cricket" I thought you meant his daughter

who he proudly displayed years ago. He called her "cricket".

"Kathryn "Cricket" Watts Swalwell is the daughter of U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell and his wife, Brittany Ann Watts. Born on October 24, 2018, in Washington, D.C., she is their second child and was named after Brittany's mother. Cricket is frequently mentioned by her father on social media, often highlighting family life and her birthday."

[GJGCA]

39. Yes, bad word choice. Jumping Jehoshaphat next time...

[BigmanPigman]

42. No one remembers his daughter's nickname

and I only did since I saw him with her as a baby and thought the nickname was very sweet and cute. Poor, poor Cricket now. I feel sorry for his family.

[Jarqui]

27. Very disappointing. I liked him. ..nt

[Joinfortmill]

29. Let's take a deep breath. Remember Al Franken.

[greatauntoftriplets]

34. This is a downfall worthy of a Shakespeare tragedy.

He's losing everything. Any word about whether his wife will stay with him?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

41. So when is the slobfather going to resign?

[True Dough]

46. Crazy, isn't it?

Dipshit Donny's "alleged" (and the word "alleged" is doing a lot of work here) crimes are numerous, involve minors and perhaps related to human trafficking. And nothing has come of it?

The. World. Isn't. Just.

[yardwork]

51. There must be more coming out.

[flamingdem]

53. George Santos is jumping on the bandwagon

naming names.

Of course!

[Wiz Imp]

56. Most recent California Governor poll - from a week ago

https://kstrat.net/press/california-2026-governor-ag-poll

Pollster = Kreate strategies (I've never heard of them so I have no idea how reliable they are.

Steve Hilton, R 19%
Eric Swalwell, D 13%
Tom Steyer, D 13%
Chad Bianco, R 10%
Katie Porter, D 8%
Matt Mahan, D 4%
Betty Yee, D 3%
Antonio Villaraigosa, D 2%
Xavier Becerra, D 2%
Someone else 6%
Not sure 20%

[orleans]

74. so as an outsider looking at that poll it seems dems need to coalesce around the 13 percenter (steyer)

who will have a chance to win against hilton.

this jungle primary is crazy -- two republicans can run against e/o in the general and no dem? holy crap!

i never heard of such a thing until the other day

[Wiz Imp]

76. Republicans have no chance of winning the general election against any Democrat.

And it is extremely unlikely the Republicans finish 1 & 2 in the primary. It is far more likely that Democrats finish 1 & 2 than the Republicans.

[orleans]

79. it's the unlikely "republicans finish 1 & 2 in the primary" that has me hand-wringing. i guess i'm just

a worrier

[radical noodle]

82. I think it's a valid concern

With votes divided the way they are, California could well end up with two Republican candidates in the general election. The jungle primary could bite them, and the chaos a Republican governor would cause is just a nightmare. I wish a bunch of those Democrats would drop out now.

[Trueblue Texan]

61. This is how you resign responsibly.

Whether he is guilty of all allegations or not, he resigned for the good of his district. I’m sad he made the choices he made, but at least he didn’t try to scapegoat or refuse to take responsibility. He SHOULD fight the allegations that are not true, but at least he tried to minimize the damage to the Democratic Party and members of the House. It’s a sad day, though.

[RainCaster]

63. This is the difference between red and blue

It's quite obvious.

[Botany]

70. However I must take ownership and responsibility for the mistakes I have made.

And that is what being a grown up is all about. Men have dicks and it leads to doing the
wrong thing. See you Eric.

[Cirsium]

81. Abuse

The charges regard abuse, not "sexual misconduct."

[angrychair]

83. I've read a couple stories

Last edited Tue Apr 14, 2026, 01:00 AM - Edit history (1)

At this point that it was known by his staffers and others what was happening but no one said anything. If true I find that incredibly unsettling.

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/13/influencers-allegations-eric-swalwell-00869517

[Figarosmom]

84. This is so sad i wonder when

Is there a special election? I misjudged him, I thought he was a good guy. I'm so disappointed. What is it with men sending naked photos or dick pics? Are they so obsessed with proving their manhood that they will chance their whole life that they built? I don't get it. I thought he had a brain.

[jfz9580m]

87. Never respected Swalwell (I usually don't comment on dems I dislike)

I was not surprised. It is not like the Franken and Biden stuff either.

I believe women and I believed Tara Reid but that was a one-off and not a pattern and Biden was running against Trump who is a serial rapist/molester etc and Biden was a decent enough president and did the best he could with the messes he was handed.

Hamas did set the world on a horrific trail with that Oct 7 attack.

My politics are well to the left and I don’t want to further belabor every damn thing that should be clear. But it is more complicated than biology or physics etc.

And I won’t get sucked ever again into disingenuous bs. Leads to overthinking and thats what the creeps want.

The Franken thing was weird.

I support women and believe women as who wants this bs? But where men do get smeared it is likelier to be anti-establishment leftist men (like Yasha Levine or Chris Ketcham) who rock the order than ones like Trump or Swalwell.

Only an Idiocracy would let Trump pretend to be anti-establishment.

And that works against MeToo, which I strongly back. It is never for csntrist reasons or to dilute anything or out of insipid views and I am never straying outside hard science in my field.

But being left or feminist, even as a non politician and non media figure against this endless onslaught of illogical tripe..One can argue with Nathan Robinson or maybe Amanda Marcotte. I cannot argue with endless lunacy in every direction.

Josh Hawley’s attacks on Judge Ketanji come to mind at a time when Trump is refusing to testify about the teen accusing him of having molested her and physically assaulted her.

It is about power.

And common sense and many things I cannot easily communicate without pointing out that it isn’t like Louis CK or some jerk like that to sometimes drown out a type of person who is a ..a..douchebag.

Lucien Greaves I do like.

I have to go work. How is any of this my job?
Fuck sobriety. Totally disingenuous.
Prophetic how I watched Office Space’s printer scene prior to this.
None of it is even my field.

How is an entire overpopulated by humans globe of engineered Idiocracy (yes I said engineered) my problem?
Jon Stewart for President! Do it Jon!
Do your part!

Thanks EarlG and DU.
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/if-i-fits-i-sits-experiment-shows-felines-also-sit-illusory-boxes-180977681/

I don’t want to ever again wander right and get trapped. One ends up spending all ones time belabouring the logically and honestly obvious. And too damn many people.
Just about the only song I truly like is “There are too many of us” by Blur. Accelerates chaos and destroys sanity and lives and I lost my mom. I am filing complaints in India. I support my colleagues and doctors and small network.
This was stupid.

[BradBo]

89. What, are gonna start calling out politicians for sexual assault?

[bdamomma]

96. Oh WTF!!!!

it's the Epstein club. These stupid guys can't freaking control themselves!!!