Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) announced his resignation from Congress on Monday amid allegations of sexual misconduct, including rape.
The California Democrat said he could not allow the fight over his seat to distract him from serving his constituents.
In a statement, Swalwell said: "I am deeply sorry to my family, staff, and constituents for mistakes in judgment I've made in my past. I will fight the serious, false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make."
The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN reported allegations from at least four women against Swalwell accusing him of misconduct. One former staffer accused him of sexually assaulting her on two separate occasions when she was too intoxicated to consent. Two other women said he sent them unsolicited explicit images on Snapchat, and a fourth alleged he kissed her without her consent. He previously referred to the allegations as "false and outrageous."
Swalwell said he was aware of efforts to bring an immediate expulsion vote against him, calling the move wrong. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) had been organizing the effort, which was gaining bipartisan support.
“Expelling anyone in Congress without due process, within days of an allegation being made is wrong, it is also wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my work for the people in the coming days. To ensure they are able, in my absence, to have the representation they deserve, I am resigning.” he said.
Swalwell had been considered a frontrunner in California's gubernatorial race before the allegation surfaced, with the California Democrat dropping his gubernatorial bid on Sunday after he was denounced by a growing number of his former allies.
This is a developing story.
