Swalwell Resigns from Congress Amid Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Congressman Eric Swalwell announced Monday he is leaving Congress, one day after dropping his bid for California governor, as sexual misconduct allegations from at least four women continue to mount.

The 45-year-old Democrat, who represented California in the House for 13 years, addressed the scandal in a post on X: "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."

The allegations range from inappropriate text messages to sexual assault. One former staffer told CNN that Swalwell assaulted her in a Manhattan hotel room, saying, "In my flash that I can recall I was pushing him off of me and saying no." NBC News has verified the woman worked for Swalwell, though her attorney declined to comment. The Manhattan District Attorney has opened an investigation.

Democratic influencer Ally Sammarco also told NBC News that Swalwell, while offering to help her find work on Capitol Hill when she was 24, began sending her nude images over Snapchat. Sammarco said his resignation was the right call: "I don't think those women in his office or on Capitol Hill in general should be around him for one more day. So I am glad that they won't have to endure that."

NBC News has not independently corroborated the other women's allegations.

Colleagues on both sides of the aisle applauded the move. Lawmakers were reportedly preparing an expulsion motion before Swalwell stepped down. Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts said the situation reflects a broader pattern: "What surprises me is how these guys keep doing this over and over. He's not the first and he probably won't be the last. They get into positions of authority and they think they can have whatever they want, and ultimately, it's good to see a little more accountability."

Swalwell had been a top-polling Democratic candidate for governor before the allegations surfaced last Friday.

Republican Congressman Tony Gonzales of Texas also announced his departure from Congress Monday. Gonzales, who had previously admitted to an affair with a staffer who later died by suicide, had already planned to leave after his current term.