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Rep. Leger Fernandez Moves to Expel Tony Gonzales After Admissions of Sexual Misconduct

Allegations of Misconduct Against Rep. Eric Swalwell·March 20 – April 15, 2026

15 days ago

Rep. Leger Fernandez Moves to Expel Tony Gonzales After Admissions of Sexual Misconduct

Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez introduced a resolution to remove Representative Tony Gonzales from the House of Representatives. This action follows Gonzales's public admission of a sexual relationship with a staff member who worked under his direct supervision. The resolution, H.Res. 1172, also addresses allegations of harassment involving the staffer. This move comes as Congress deals with similar misconduct allegations against other members. Earlier, Representative Anna Paulina Luna introduced H.Res. 1166 to expel Representative Eric Swalwell. Swalwell recently resigned from Congress and ended his campaign for California governor after reports of a relationship with a former aide.

13 days ago

Governor Newsom Sets August Special Election for Eric Swalwell's Vacant Congressional Seat

Governor Gavin Newsom scheduled a special election for August 18, 2026, to fill the congressional seat vacated by Eric Swalwell. Swalwell resigned from the House and withdrew from the California governor's race following allegations of sexual misconduct involving a former staffer. The sudden vacancy has increased pressure on Newsom to manage a shifting field of candidates in the state's upcoming primary. Legal and political fallout from the allegations continues to grow. Multiple agencies are investigating the claims against the former congressman. Additionally, some lawmakers are demanding the release of communications related to the misconduct allegations to provide more transparency about the timing of his resignation.
Gavin Newsom sets August 2026 special election to fill Eric Swalwell's vacant congressional seatSwalwell sexual misconduct allegations spur legal stormDemocratic senator urged to 'release the Eric Swalwell files'

14 days ago

Democrats Search for New California Governor Candidate After Eric Swalwell Withdraws From Race

Representative Eric Swalwell has officially withdrawn from the California gubernatorial race following his resignation from Congress. This exit leaves the Democratic party without a clear frontrunner as the primary election approaches Swalwell's exit. While campaigning for the same office, Tom Steyer announced he will not seek the presidency again Steyer rules out run. Senator Ruben Gallego also addressed the controversy. He stated he had heard rumors of flirty behavior by Swalwell in the past but denied having any prior knowledge of the specific sexual assault allegations Gallego addresses rumors. These developments follow a formal effort in the House to expel Swalwell before he stepped down H.Res. 1166.
Swalwell's exit from California governor's race has Democrats searching for a breakout candidateGallego says he heard 'rumors' of 'flirty' behavior by Swalwell but denies knowledge of assault allegationsTom Steyer rules out another presidential run

14 days ago

Senate Democrats and Governors Respond to Resignations of Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales

Senate Democrats pressured Representative Eric Swalwell to leave office shortly before his official resignation on Tuesday [/news/9176929391]. The exit of Swalwell and Representative Tony Gonzales followed a fifth allegation of misconduct against Swalwell [/news/9176961056] and a pending House resolution to expel him [/policy/H.Res. 1166]. Governors in California and Texas are now preparing for special elections to fill the vacant seats [/news/2026-04-1140827177]. This wave of resignations marks a major shift in how Congress handles misconduct allegations [/news/2026-04-1140867489]. Both parties are moving quickly to organize campaigns for the upcoming special votes [/news/9176898266].
'He should go': Senate Dems turned on Swalwell ahead of resignation announcementResignations of Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales Set Up Special Election Fights in Texas and CaliforniaCongress reckons with second 'Me Too' wave as Swalwell, Gonzales resign

14 days ago

Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales Resign From House Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations

Representatives Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales officially resigned from Congress on Tuesday. They left their positions after several people accused them of sexual misconduct Swalwell and Gonzales officially resign. Both men faced the possibility of being forced out of the House by a vote before they stepped down Swalwell and Gonzales resign amid expulsion threats. Senator Ruben Gallego also spoke out against Swalwell. He called his former friend a predator and said he was wrong to have a relationship with him Gallego denounces Swalwell. A fifth accuser also alleged that the former congressman drugged and raped her New sexual assault allegation.
Swalwell, Gonzales Officially Resign From Congress After AllegationsRuben Gallego Turns On Close Friend, Eric Swalwell: 'Predator'Latest Eric Swalwell accuser alleges he drugged and raped her

The Facts

Key Statements

WWashington Examiner

Rep. Eric Swalwell alleges political interference following reports of a potential FBI investigation into his past conduct during his campaign for California governor.

This article confirms the reports of a potential federal investigation into the representative.

NNew York Post

Rep. Eric Swalwell denies allegations of inappropriate conduct with female staffers, calling the rumors a political smear aimed at his California gubernatorial campaign.

This source provides the representative's specific defense against the misconduct claims.

Who This Affects

1 groups

Helps

Federal Employee

If successful, this expulsion would reinforce the principle that members of Congress face real consequences for sexual misconduct toward congressional staff. It would strengthen protections for the roughly 13,000 House staffers by signaling that the 2018 Code of Official Conduct rule banning sexual relationships with supervised employees carries meaningful enforcement teeth.

Policies

These are separate resolutions introduced by members of both parties to remove two different representatives facing similar misconduct allegations. Both bills remain in committee but are likely moot because the members have already resigned from office.

News

What we know about the investigations into Eric Swalwell

newsweek.com logoNewsweekCenter

Democratic senator urged to 'release the Eric Swalwell files'

newsweek.com logoNewsweekCenter

New life for the long shots

politico.com logoPOLITICOCenter Left

Gavin Newsom sets August 2026 special election to fill Eric Swalwell's vacant congressional seat

foxnews.com logoFox NewsRight

Swalwell sexual misconduct allegations spur legal storm

thehill.com logoThe HillCenter

Gavin Newsom faces growing pressure to intervene in a scrambled California governor's race

edition.cnn.com logoCNN InternationalCenter Left

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.