Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-Texas) has announced she is filing a motion to expel Representative Eric Swalwell of California, who faces sexual assault allegations from a former staffer.
In social media posts, Luna called for Swalwell’s immediate resignation and criticized Democratic leadership.
“So, the Dems don’t want Swalwell to be governor of California, but he can stay a member of Congress? Are we running a halfway house for sexual predators in Congress now? No,” she stated.
“He should not be allowed to stay in Congress.”
“I am calling on @RepSwalwell to resign from office,” she said.
“I don’t know in what parallel universe we are living in that elected members of congress begin to choose politics and party BS over basic human dignity. I have called for Republican members to do the same when they are caught doing corrupt and morally bankrupt crap. Democratic leadership needs to do the same.”
Swalwell has denied the allegations, apologizing to his family for what he described as past “mistakes in judgment” as he campaigns for California governor.
“Hear it directly from me. These allegations are flat false. And I will fight them,” Swalwell wrote on social media late Friday night.
He reiterated: “These allegations of sexual assault are flat false. They are absolutely false. They did not happen. They have never happened. And I will fight them with everything I have.”
Some prominent Democrats have urged Swalwell to withdraw from the California gubernatorial race, though few have called for his resignation from Congress.
The co-chairs of Swalwell’s campaign, Representatives Jimmy Gomez and Adam Gray, announced they would step down immediately and urged him to drop out.
California’s primary election will occur on June 2, with the top two finishers advancing to the November general election regardless of party affiliation.
