Two lawmakers from opposite parties resign same day amid sexual misconduct allegations

Two sitting lawmakers from opposite sides of the aisle announced April 13 that they are leaving Congress after separate sexual misconduct allegations prompted bipartisan calls for their expulsion. 

Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California said he will resign his seat, citing the distraction the accusations have caused for his constituents. Not long after Swalwell’s announcement, Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas said he would file retirement papers when the House returns to session April 14.

Swalwell’s resignation

Swalwell, a seven-term congressman who had been running for California governor, said in an X post that it would be “wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties.”

Calls for his resignation began after a former staffer alleged in an April 10 San Francisco Chronicle report that she had a series of sexual encounters with the congressman, including two occasions when she said she was too intoxicated to give consent. CNN reported the same day that three other women accused Swalwell of various forms of misconduct, including unsolicited explicit messages and nude photos. 

On April 13, the House Ethics Committee said it would open an investigation. Swalwell is also under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, according to FOX News.

Swalwell, who has been married to his current wife since October 2016, has repeatedly denied the allegations of sexual assault and vowed in his resignation statement to “fight the serious, false allegation made against me.” 

“However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make,” Swalwell said. “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.” 

A day earlier, Swalwell said he was dropping out of the race for California governor. He similarly apologized on X for “mistakes in judgment” while again disputing “the serious, false allegations.”

Gonzales’ resignation

About an hour after Swalwell’s announcement, Gonzales, a third-term Republican from San Antonio, posted his own resignation statement. He had admitted in a podcast released March 4 to having an extramarital affair with a staff member who later died by suicide. 

Gonzales was under investigation by the House Ethics Committee over whether he “engaged in sexual misconduct” toward an employee and “discriminated unfairly by dispensing special favors or privileges,” according to The Texas Tribune. The outlet reported that an expulsion vote was expected in the coming days, and lawmakers from both parties indicated they would vote in favor.

In a short statement on X, Gonzales said there “is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all.” 

“When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office,” he said. “It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.”