Eric Swalwell had his weekend of reflection, and he came to the same conclusion Democrats had already hit upon.

The rumors about accusations of sexual misconduct, which then became a direct accusation of sexual assault, which was then followed by campaign resignations, the opening of a criminal investigation, and calls for him to resign his Congressional seat, were finally enought to convince him that… he needed to suspend his campaign for governor of California.

Dude, that is the LEAST of your problems right now.

I am suspending my campaign for Governor.

To my family, staff, friends, and supporters, I am deeply sorry for mistakes in judgment I’ve made in my past.

I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s.

— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) April 13, 2026

The responses on X to that announcement were quite brutal, and pointed out that if he really thinks these accusations are false, why would he drop out of the race? Hmmmmm…. it’s a mystery!

The real kicker is that Swalwell can suspend his campaign, but the ballots are already set, and he can’t be removed. Not even if the Democrats want him off.

According to a statement from the California Democratic Party (CADEM), the deadline has passed to remove Swalwell’s name from the Primary Election ballot.

“Swalwell’s reprehensible actions confirmed he is unqualified and unfit to seek or hold public office in California,” the statement read, in part. “Unfortunately, the statutory deadline has passed to remove Swalwell’s name from the Primary Election ballot. So I ask all who care for the future of California to join me in ensuring all voters know he is unfit for public office and receives as little support as possible at the ballot box.”

What California Democrats know, and are deathly afraid of, is that Swalwell will still get votes, and they are desperate to make sure that at least one Democrat makes it into the general election. The primary is less than two months away, and other Democrats are looking to seize the opportunity. Apparently, some are so desperate that they are actually floating Kamala Harris as a possible option, but again, she can’t get herself on the ballot, and would have to be a write-in candidate – which would likely end up dividing the vote even more. The Democrats who ARE on the ballot are attempting to make the case for themselves.

Didn't she basically turn her husband into the toxic waste guy from RoboCop? https://t.co/aFaAiugpMl

— Stephen L. Miller (@redsteeze) April 13, 2026

Setting aside Katie Porter’s atrocious human resources issues and marital past, Democrats are increasingly anxious to shed the dead weight of Swalwell from around their necks, in both California and in Congress. Now, Swalwell will not voluntarily leave Congress. His personal finances are so heavily entwined with living off his status as a politician, and the “Nannygate” issue of Swalwell paying a Brazilian woman whose visa had expired, with campaign funds, is now under investigation. The truth is that Eric Swalwell would not be able to financially survive in the private sector after all of this. He will have to be dragged kicking and screaming out of Congress.

As we are rapidly seeing, his Congressional colleagues may be happy to oblige – especially if the balance of power can be maintained. We’ve already seen Pramila Jayapal, grandma of The Squad, express her willingness to remove Swalwell if Congressman Tony Gonzales is expelled at the same time. Not only are those terms acceptable, but there are two more names in the mix as well.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) announced plans to force a vote next week to expel Swalwell, who is facing allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment, which he denies.

Democrats plan to counter with a vote to expel Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), as Axios first reported.

If those votes succeed — which may be a long-shot, given that expulsion requires a two-thirds majority in the House — votes to expel Reps. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) and Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) could follow, sources said.

What we’re hearing: Lawmakers in both parties are exasperated with recent ethics and sex scandals, and some are privately entertaining the catharsis of a proverbial bloodletting.

“People feel confident that the allegations against all four are credible,” said one House Democrat, who added that many members “are frustrated … by what feels like a bottleneck of scandals without any real accountability yet in any one.”

A second House Democrat said: “We want a full house cleaning. Get the garbage out of here. These jerks are destroying Congress, for the American people and for all of us who came here to do good work.”

For those who have forgotten, Tony Gonzales admitted to having an affair with a staffer who later committed suicide, and dropped out of his primary run-off – but didn’t leave Congress. Cory Mills is a trainwreck of sexual assault accusations, ethics charges, and possible stolen valor. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is under federal indictment for stealing FEMA funds for her personal use, and has already been found guilty of ethics violations. A deal that removes all four of these Representatives – two Democrats and two Republicans – is not only appropriate, but may have enough momentum to make it a reality.

Expulsion votes in the House are rare and require a two-thirds majority, but there is recent precedent for taking the step. Republican George Santos of New York in 2023 became just the sixth member in House history to be ousted by colleagues for his conduct.

Huffman, Jayapal and Leger Fernández said they would vote to expel Swalwell from the House, though they said they also support expelling Rep. Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, who admitted to an affair with a former staff member who later died by suicide.

Republican Rep. Byron Donalds of Florida, who is running his own campaign for governor, said both Swalwell and Gonzales “need to go home” and that he would vote to expel them both.

Khanna also indicated support for congressional action against both lawmakers.

“So, it depends on if it’s worded in a fair way,” Khanna said. “But this shouldn’t be about politics. Anyone who abuses young girls and staffers should not be in the United States Congress.”

Speaking of George Santos… he has a few things to say to Eric Swalwell.

Fuck you! No peace for you! Resign bitch or be expelled! I’ve spent all day today and yesterday working the phones with Dems who are ready to cut you loose!

— George Santos (@Georgesantos) April 13, 2026

If Swalwell is smart, he should lawyer up and prepare to be booted out of Congress. He’s finding no allies among his Democrat colleagues, and the Republicans in the House are more than willing to make the even trade to remove him. The suspension of his gubernatorial campaign was inevitable. He should be worried about a whole lot more than that right now.

Featured image: original Victory Girls art by Darleen Click