Rep. Tony Gonzales in Kyiv, July 1, 2024 and Rep. Eric Swalwell in Pasadena, Calif., January 28, 2026.Getty Images
Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, and Tony Gonzales, a Republican from Texas, both stepped down from their congressional roles on Tuesday.
Allegations of sexual impropriety have been made against both individuals, and they were facing potential expulsion votes initiated by their fellow House members.
Their letters of resignation were formally read on the House floor.
Swalwell’s resignation became effective at 2 p.m. ET, while Gonzales’s will go into effect at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Rep. Tony Gonzales in Kyiv, July 1, 2024 and Rep. Eric Swalwell in Pasadena, Calif., January 28, 2026.Getty Images
Amid the claims, which include accusations of sexual assault that he denies, Swalwell also halted his campaign for California governor this week. Just prior to his resignation letter, another woman made accusations against Swalwell on Tuesday.
“I am truly regretful to my loved ones, team, and those I represent for errors in judgement I've committed. I will contend with the grave, untrue accusation made toward me; however, I must accept accountability for the errors I did make,” Swalwell penned in his resignation letter.
“I am informed of attempts to bring a rapid expulsion vote against myself and other members. The removal of anyone in Congress without proper procedure, mere days following an accusation, is inappropriate. However, it would also be unjust for my constituents to have me diverted from my responsibilities,” Swalwell included.
Gonzales abandoned his reelection campaign earlier in the year after acknowledging a connection to an affair with a staffer who subsequently took her own life.
“It has been my honor to represent the people of Texas’s 23rd congressional district,” Gonzales stated in his brief resignation letter.
After the resignations, the revised party composition in the House is 217 Republicans, including independent Rep. Kevin Kiley of California, who affiliates with the GOP, and 213 Democrats.
Typically, special elections are utilized to fill vacancies in the House, even when those seats are scheduled for regular elections during the same year.
On Tuesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, scheduled a special primary election for June 16 for the 14th District seat formerly held by Swalwell and a special election for August 18 to conclude his term. Regarding the timing for a special election to fill Gonzales’s seat, a representative for Texas Governor Greg Abbott, a Republican, did not have prompt information.
House Speaker Mike Johnson is anticipated to administer the oath of office to Rep.-elect Clay Fuller, a Republican from Georgia, late Tuesday night, elevating the GOP’s majority to 218 legislators, inclusive of Kiley.
Oren Oppenheim of ABC News contributed to this report.
Sourse: abcnews.go.com