California congressman Eric Swalwell has resigned from congress after being accused of sexual abuse and harassment by multiple women.
“I am deeply sorry to my family, staff and constituents for mistakes in judgement I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell wrote in a statement shared via X on Monday, April 13. “I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.
The politician continued, “I am aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against me and other members. Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong. But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore I plan to resign my seat in Congress. I will work with my staff in the coming days to ensure that they are able, in my absence, to serve the needs of the good people of the 14th congressional district.”
Us Weekly has reached out to Swalwell’s communications director for comment.
Swalwell, 47, was accused of sexual abuse by a former staffer in April. The woman, who was 21 when she was hired, claimed to the San Francisco Chronicle that Swalwell attempted to pursue her romantically when she worked at his district office in Castro Valley, California, in 2019. She alleged that Swalwell sent her images of his genitals via Snapchat and sought nude pictures in return. The woman also accused Swalwell of rape.
After the woman’s allegations made headlines, others came forward with similar claims. One accuser, Ally Sammarco, claimed that Swalwell offered to “share her resume” with other congressional offices before sending her “very inappropriate” Snapchat messages. The other women asked to remain anonymous for fear of retribution.
Swalwell has vehemently denied the allegations.
“These allegations are false and come on the eve of an election against the frontrunner for governor,” the politician said in a statement. “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman and have always protected women.”
In addition to denying the accusations, Swalwell apologized to his wife, Brittany Watts, whom he’s been married to since 2016.
“I do not suggest to you in any way that I am perfect or that I’m a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past,” he said in an April social media video. “Those mistakes are between me and my wife. And to her, I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.”
A group of Swalwell’s staff members also released a statement addressing the allegations.
“As leaders of teams working for Eric Swalwell, we’re horrified by the recent reporting in the San Francisco Chronicle and by CNN,” they noted. “We stand with our former colleague, and the other women who have come forward. We believe you should stand with them, too. The behavior detailed in these reports is abhorrent, beneath the dignity of those serving in public office and betrays the trust of all Californians.”
Swalwell was initially elected as a congressman in 2012 and has represented multiple districts in Northern California. Swalwell attempted to run for president during the 2020 election but ultimately dropped out due to low polling numbers.
More recently, Swalwell was a frontrunner in the race for governor of California but put his campaign on pause amid the scandal..
“I am suspending my campaign for Governor,” he wrote in a statement. “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.”
