Calls were mounting Sunday for Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Dublin, to resign from Congress and withdraw from the race for California governor after suspended his campaign amid multiple allegations of criminal wrongdoing including sexual misconduct.
Swalwell announced his campaign’s suspension in a social media post Sunday evening.
“To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past,” Swalwell wrote on X. “I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.”
A few hours earlier, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced an investigation into Swalwell’s alleged hiring a domestic worker who was in the country illegally. That followed calls late last week for the embattled politician to leave the gubernatorial race over sexual misconduct allegations.
“USCIS has been collecting information on the allegations involving Congressman Eric Swalwell hiring of a Brazilian national as a nanny without lawful work authorization,” the U.S. Department of Homeland Security posted on X. “@USCIS has referred this matter to DHS law enforcement for investigation. No one is above the law, including a member of Congress.”
On Friday, the San Francisco Chronicle published allegations that an employee had a consensual relationship with the married congressman that included sexual encounters while she was working for him. The employee further alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her on two occasions when she was intoxicated and unable to give consent.
Later Friday, CNN reported three additional women had accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct that included unsolicited nude photos.
Gubernatorial candidate Antonio Villaraigosa, a former Los Angeles mayor and speaker of the California State Assembly, called for Swalwell to resign Sunday evening.
“Enough is enough. Suspending his campaign is not sufficient, Eric Swalwell must resign his position in Congress and completely withdraw from the governor’s race immediately,” Villaraigosa said in a statement. “I continue to support the courageous survivors who have come forward. We need to provide a safe space for any more women who are ready to be heard. And Swalwell must be held accountable for his actions.”
Kim Villanueva, national president of the National Organization for Women, also called for Swalwell’s resignation.
“Rep. Swalwell made the right decision to drop out of the California gubernatorial race,” Villanueva said in a statement Sunday evening. “Now, he should take the next step and resign from Congress. We believe women.”
Swalwell disputed the misconduct claims Friday in a social media video.
“A lot has been said about me today through anonymous allegations,” Swalwell said.
“These allegations of sexual assault are flat false, they are absolutely false. They did not happen, they have never happened and I will fight them with everything that I have,” Swalwell continued.
He observed that the misconduct allegations “come on the eve of an election where I have been the front-runner candidate for governor in California. I do not suggest to you in any way that I’m perfect or that I’m a saint. I have certainly made mistakes in judgment in my past. But those mistakes are between me and my wife, and to her I apologize deeply for putting her in this position.
“I also apologize to you if in any way you have doubted your support for me, but I think you know who I am,” the congressman said. “For over 20 years, I have served the public as a city councilman, as a member of Congress and as a prosecutor who went to court on behalf of victims, particularly on behalf of sexual assault victims. That’s who I am and have always been.”
In a statement to NBC4, Swalwell added, “For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman — and have always protected women,” he said. “I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action.”
Swalwell has served in Congress since 2013. He and wife Brittany Watts have three children.
In addition to Villaraigosa, elected officials and political organizations that have withdrawn support and/or urged Swalwell to withdraw from the race included LA Mayor Karen Bass, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-San Francisco, Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Los Angeles, gubernatorial hopeful and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, candidate for governor and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, plus Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff, the state’s Democratic U.S. senators.
The Service Employees International Union California and the California Teachers Association canceled campaign endorsements, and Californians for a Fighter, an independent group supporting Swalwell, was “suspending campaign activity immediately” following the allegations.
The fundraising platform ActBlue has stopped accepting donations for his campaign.
California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks called the accusations “deeply disturbing” and welcomed the campaign suspension.
“First, the stories of victims and survivors should be heard and believed. Period,” Hicks said in a statement. “Second, any person engaged in misconduct must take responsibility and be held accountable for their actions — including a member of Congress and candidate for governor.”
She said the statutory deadline has passed for removing candidate names from the June 2 primary ballot.
“So I ask all who care for the future of California to join me in ensuring all voters know he is unfit for public office and receives as little support as possible at the ballot box,” Hicks said. “Californians deserve a Democrat who can win in November and provide the strong leadership required in this important moment in our nation’s history.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is termed out, had not called on Swalwell to end his campaign, but said in a statement to media outlets, “As we continue to learn more, these allegations from multiple sources are deeply troubling and must be taken seriously.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, D-San Bernardino, also called for the congressman to end his run for governor.
On Saturday, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, R-Fla., said she planned to start the process of expelling Swalwell from office that would require a two-thirds vote from the House of Representatives.
Also Saturday, the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office announced an investigation of the sexual assault allegation by the former staffer who accused Swalwell of having sex with her when she was extremely drunk and unable to consent after a night with him two years ago in New York City.
