Courtesy Courthouse News
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell said on Monday he will resign from the House of Representatives, bowing to pressure from both Democrats and Republicans to leave Congress or face expulsion following sexual misconduct allegations that upended his campaign for governor.
The California Democrat vowed to fight the allegations but said he must also “take responsibility and ownership” of his mistakes.
“Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made, is wrong,” Swalwell said. “But it’s also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties. Therefore, I plan to resign my seat in Congress.”
Separately, Tony Gonzales, a Texas Republican, also said he would retire from Congress. Both Swalwell and Gonzales had faced calls to leave Congress or face expulsion following sexual misconduct allegations.
Gonzales said he will file to retire on Tuesday when the House of Representatives returns from a two-week Easter recess.
“There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all,” Gonzales said. “It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.”
Four women had accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct. One former staffer told CNN she was sexually assaulted, while others detailed conduct from Swalwell ranging from sending unsolicited images to non-consensual sexual contact. It was not immediately clear how soon Swalwell’s resignation would take effect, but he said he would work with his staff to ensure his constituents are served in his absence.
The pair of departures will effectively cancel each other out, maintaining House Republicans’ narrow margin in the chamber. Republicans’ 217-214 majority will become 216-213. Republican Representative-elect Clay Fuller of Georgia will be sworn in on Tuesday, however, and a Democrat is favored to win a special election in New Jersey on Thursday.
Many Democrats who said Swalwell should no longer be in Congress said the same of Gonzales and Florida Representatives Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Democrat, and Cory Mills, a Republican.
Both are under an ethics investigation: Cherfilus-McCormick for allegedly stealing $5 million in federal disaster aid and using the money for her congressional campaign and Mills for alleged sexual misconduct and campaign-finance violations.
Swalwell and Gonzales would need to be replaced in special elections. Both represent safe districts that each party is expected to hold, and neither was seeking reelection.
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