Another California Democrat has been caught up in a sex-related scandal and is being forced to step down because of it.
Rep. Jimmy Gomez, D-Calif., has told members of the Congressional Dads Caucus that he does not plan to seek another term as chairman as he faces a competitive reelection campaign and an investigation by the House Ethics Committee.
Advertisement
Gomez, who is running against a far-left socialist challenger for his California House seat this fall, informed caucus members in a message that he intends to step aside from the leadership position. He has also discussed the decision privately with at least one member.
The Washington Examiner was first to report the development.
Advertisement
One source with direct knowledge of the discussions said Gomez had indicated his intention to relinquish the chairmanship before reports emerged in April alleging that the married congressman was seen kissing a staff member from another congressional office in 2023.
A second source told the outlet that Gomez told one caucus member of his plans “months” ago, although that conversation occurred after the April report.
Advertisement
Gomez has since been accused of sexual assault, an allegation he has denied. The accusation is among the matters that prompted the House Ethics Committee to announce an investigation last week.
The controversy has also reportedly created unease among some members of the Congressional Dads Caucus, which Gomez helped establish with other Democratic lawmakers to advocate for policies affecting fathers and families.
The office of Rep. Johnny Olszewski, D-Md., who joined the caucus last year, said members expect a “transition” in leadership at the group’s next meeting, which is not anticipated until after the November elections.
Olszewski is among the caucus members who support Gomez relinquishing the chairmanship in the next Congress while the ethics investigation remains unresolved.
Another member of the Congressional Dads Caucus, speaking on condition of anonymity, also said Gomez should step down from the leadership position.
The calls come amid broader concerns within the group over the investigation. Rep. Jake Auchincloss, D-Mass., has also reportedly decided to leave the caucus because of the allegations involving Gomez.
Gomez, who has represented California’s 34th Congressional District since 2017, finished first in the state’s June primary as he seeks another term.
Advertisement
Under California’s top-two primary system, Gomez will face fellow Democrat Angela Gonzales-Torres in the November general election.
Gomez has acknowledged making “personal mistakes outside my marriage,” but has denied violating the law or congressional rules. He has maintained that the conduct at issue was “consensual in nature.”
Last week, leaders of the Democratic Women’s Caucus called on the House Ethics Committee to provide an update on the status of its investigation before the panel enters a period during which it traditionally limits public disclosures in the 60 days preceding an election.
Advertisement
Earlier this summer, U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, who was among the top-tier of Democratic candidates in the California governor’s race, resigned his congressional seat and left the race amid multiple complaints of sexual assault and rape from several women.
Swalwell, a prominent critic of President Donald Trump, made the announcement in a written statement in which he apologized for what he described as “mistakes in judgment” while disputing some of the more serious claims, Conservative Brief reported at the time.
The situation quickly escalated following the announcement. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) criticized Swalwell in a series of posts on X, indicating she believes further developments could follow his resignation.
“However, don’t you dare say there weren’t grounds for your expulsion because there absolutely were,” Luna wrote in one post.
Advertisement
She added, ominously: “He made the correct decision, but there still needs to be a full-fledged criminal investigation.”
“Based on what I’m hearing, he may go to jail,” Luna noted further.
This article may contain commentary which reflects the author’s opinion.
