Two major congressional resignations rocked Capitol Hill today as Texas Republican Tony Gonzales and California Democrat Eric Swalwell announced they would leave the House of Representatives following separate personal scandals.
In a dramatic day for US politics, Gonzales confirmed he would resign effective tomorrow after acknowledging an extramarital affair with a staff member who later died by suicide. Meanwhile, Swalwell gave up his seat following multiple accusations of sexual misconduct, though he denies the most serious allegations.
Gonzales Announces Retirement from House Seat
Tony Gonzales, who represents Texas’s 23rd congressional district, took to social media to announce his departure amid growing calls for his expulsion.
“There is a season for everything and God has a plan for us all. When Congress returns tomorrow, I will file my retirement from office,” Gonzales wrote. “It has been my privilege to serve the great people of Texas.”
The resignation comes after Gonzales publicly acknowledged an inappropriate relationship with a congressional staffer who later died by suicide. The scandal had intensified pressure from both parties for him to step down.
Eric Swalwell Resigns Following Sexual Assault Allegations
In a separate development, Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell announced he would resign from his House seat, though he vowed to fight what he called a “serious false allegation.”
“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. “I will fight the serious false allegation made against me. However, I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.”
The California representative criticized efforts to expel him without due process but acknowledged that the distraction was unfair to his constituents.
Senator Ruben Gallego, once a close personal friend of Swalwell, called for his expulsion, stating: “I trusted someone who I believed was a friend, but it is now clear that he is not the person I thought I knew.”
A woman with serious sexual misconduct allegations against Swalwell is scheduled to hold a press conference tomorrow in Beverly Hills alongside attorneys Lisa Bloom and Arick Fudali, who have previously represented victims in high-profile cases.
