Rep. Swalwell Faces Calls to Resign Amid Sexual Assault Allegations

Swalwell Drops Out of Governor’s Race Amid Growing Pressure

Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell has withdrawn from the California governor’s race following serious sexual assault allegations. The fallout intensified Friday when the San Francisco Chronicle first reported claims by a former staffer, referred to as Ms. Now. She has since presented text messages and medical records that support her allegations.

The situation escalated further when CNN reported on allegations of sexual misconduct by three other women against Swalwell. While these additional claims have not been independently verified by Ms. Now, they have added to the growing pressure on the congressman.

Swalwell has firmly denied all accusations. “These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They’re absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened,” he stated. “And I will fight them with everything that I have.”

House Leadership Weighs Swalwell’s Future

The immediate consequence of the allegations was Swalwell’s decision to suspend his campaign for governor. This move was widely expected after he lost key campaign staff, co-chairs, and crucial endorsements from Capitol Hill.

Top House Democratic leaders, including Hakeem Jeffries, Katherine Clark, and Pete Aguilar, had publicly called for Swalwell to withdraw from the governor’s race. Now that he has exited that contest, the central question is whether he will remain in Congress.

Calls for his resignation from the House of Representatives are mounting from both sides of the aisle. However, Swalwell has given no indication that he intends to step down from his congressional seat. His statement announcing the suspension of his gubernatorial campaign focused on fighting the allegations, not on his future in Congress.

Expulsion Threat Looms in Congress

If Swalwell does not resign, a significant number of lawmakers are prepared to vote for his expulsion from Congress. Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna has announced her intention to file a motion to expel him.

Such a motion would require a two-thirds majority vote in the House, meaning approximately 288 members would need to support it. Expulsion from the House is a rare and serious measure, having occurred only six times in U.S. history. Three of those instances were during the Civil War, and the most recent was the expulsion of George Santos in 2023.

The decision of House Democratic leadership will be crucial in determining the potential success of an expulsion effort. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries indicated that the caucus would discuss the matter upon their return from a two-week recess. “We plan to have a conversation first amongst the leadership on Tuesday upon our return, then as part of the steering and policy committee, and then of course will convene as a caucus on Wednesday morning to have a discussion about the possibility of both censure resolutions and expulsion resolutions,” Jeffries told reporters.

He acknowledged the gravity of the situation, stating, “These are very serious allegations made by serious individuals and they clearly require a serious investigation.”

California Governor’s Race Thrown into Turmoil

Swalwell’s exit from the governor’s race has significantly scrambled the contest, especially with early voting set to begin in less than a month. He was considered a leading contender among the Democrats in California’s unique jungle primary system, where the top two vote-getters advance to the general election regardless of party.

With Swalwell out, the race faces further uncertainty. While California is a heavily Democratic state, concerns existed about the potential for a splintered Democratic vote allowing two Republicans to advance to the general election. Swalwell’s departure, particularly as he was seen as a top candidate in the progressive lane, introduces another unpredictable factor.

Political analysts are now closely watching where Swalwell’s voters, donors, and endorsers will shift. Polling suggests his supporters might move towards billionaire hedge fund founder Tom Steyer or former Congresswoman Katie Porter. The direction of these crucial votes will likely be critical in shaping the outcome of the race.

What’s Next for Swalwell and Congress

As the House of Representatives returns to session, the focus will undoubtedly turn to the allegations against Eric Swalwell and the calls for his resignation or potential expulsion. The Democratic caucus’s deliberations will be closely monitored for any signs of their stance on his future in Congress.

Meanwhile, the California gubernatorial race is now wide open, with candidates vying to capture the support left behind by Swalwell’s withdrawal. The coming weeks are expected to bring significant political developments both in Washington and in California as these situations unfold.

Source: Swalwell facing growing calls to resign from Congress amid criminal investigation (YouTube)