• What Happened: Rep. Eric Swalwell announced Monday he would resign from Congress, one day after suspending his California governor's campaign. The House Ethics Committee had just announced it was opening an investigation into his conduct. He officially left office Tuesday.
  • Why It Matters: A fifth woman emerged Tuesday accusing Swalwell of drugging, raping and choking her in a California hotel room in 2018. The Manhattan DA's criminal investigation continues. Newsom called a special election for August 18 to fill Swalwell's seat.
  • Bottom Line: One week ago Eric Swalwell was the frontrunner for governor of California. Today he is a private citizen under criminal investigation. The women who came forward ended his career in seven days.

Seven days ago, Eric Swalwell was the frontrunner for governor of California. His campaign had major labor endorsements. He had the backing of Adam Schiff, Ruben Gallego, and Nancy Pelosi. His campaign called the sexual assault allegations circulating on social media a "false, outrageous rumor" spread by "MAGA conspiracy theorists."

On Tuesday, he resigned from Congress in disgrace.

"I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past," Swalwell said in a statement posted to X on Monday. "I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make." He said he would resign rather than face an expulsion vote, calling an immediate expulsion vote "wrong" but acknowledging it was "also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties."

Swalwell had served seven terms in Congress, representing California's 14th Congressional District since 2013. He briefly ran for president in 2019. He was not wrong that the allegations came at a politically convenient moment, right before a June 2 primary. He was wrong that they were fabricated.

The San Francisco Chronicle broke the story Friday. A former congressional staffer, hired at age 21, described a series of encounters that escalated from unwanted advances to sexual assault. She alleged Swalwell tried to kiss her in her car while she drove him home from a donor meeting. She alleged he exposed himself in the car and asked her to perform oral sex. In September 2019, she said she went out for drinks with Swalwell, became severely intoxicated, and woke up naked in his hotel room, where she could feel the effect of vaginal intercourse. In April 2024, after leaving his office, she attended a charity gala where he was being honored. After drinks, she says her last memory is going to the bathroom at the bar. She remembers snippets of pushing him off her and saying no. She was left bruised and bleeding. She texted a friend that night: "I was sexually assaulted on Thursday. By Eric."

CNN aired her on-camera interview Friday evening, with her face in shadow. Three additional women told CNN that Swalwell sent them unsolicited nude photos and explicit messages. His own senior staff quit. More than 50 former staffers signed a letter saying they believed her.

Then on Tuesday, a fifth woman came forward. She accused Swalwell of drugging, raping and choking her in a California hotel room in 2018.

The political collapse was swift and total. Within hours of the Chronicle story, his campaign co-chairs Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray called on him to drop out. Schiff said he was "deeply distressed." Gallego, who had chaired Swalwell's 2020 presidential campaign, said he was "no longer fit to be a Member of Congress" and told CNN that when he spoke to Swalwell Friday, he told him directly: "Take care of your family, get out." Pelosi called Swalwell Friday night and urged him to drop out of the race and resign his House seat. Hakeem Jeffries called for him to step down. Major labor unions held emergency weekend meetings and withdrew endorsements.

On Monday, as Swalwell announced his resignation, the House Ethics Committee announced it was opening a formal investigation into his conduct. The investigation closed when he resigned, since the committee only has jurisdiction over sitting members. The Manhattan District Attorney's criminal investigation continues.

Gov. Gavin Newsom called a special election on Tuesday, scheduled for August 18, to fill Swalwell's vacant seat in California's 14th Congressional District.