WASHINGTON — Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) is facing calls from fellow Democrats to resign from Congress following sexual assault allegations that prompted him to suspend his gubernatorial campaign in California. The pressure intensified after Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-N.M.) publicly criticized Swalwell and Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) in a social media post, though she did not explicitly name them.
Swalwell, a prominent progressive voice, has denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated. The controversy stems from an unnamed accuser who reportedly filed a complaint with congressional ethics officials. Sources familiar with the matter say the allegations have circulated privately among lawmakers for weeks before surfacing publicly.
Analysts note the situation puts Democratic leadership in a difficult position as the party seeks to distance itself from past scandals. ‘This isn’t just about one lawmaker—it’s a test of whether the party will enforce its own standards,’ said a political strategist familiar with internal discussions, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The House Ethics Committee has not confirmed whether it is investigating the matter. Should Swalwell resign, it could trigger a special election in his Bay Area district, which he has represented since 2013.