Listen to the article
California Governor’s Race Reshapes After Swalwell’s Dramatic Exit
The race to succeed outgoing Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom took an unexpected turn this week as U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell first suspended his campaign and then announced his resignation from Congress amid sexual assault allegations.
The fallout from Swalwell’s departure will be on full display Tuesday when the remaining candidates meet in Sacramento for their first joint public appearance since his exit. The timing is critical, with mail ballots set to go out to voters in early May ahead of the June 2 primary.
Meanwhile, Swalwell’s legal troubles continue to mount. His attorneys announced that a woman plans to reveal new misconduct allegations against him at a press conference in Beverly Hills on Tuesday.
The five-term congressman had been considered a formidable contender in the gubernatorial race before allegations surfaced in the San Francisco Chronicle and later on CNN. While maintaining his innocence, Swalwell acknowledged on Monday that the controversy had become a distraction, writing on X that “it was unfair for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties.”
With more than 50 candidates registered for the primary, Swalwell’s departure creates both opportunities and uncertainties in a race that has lacked a clear frontrunner. Democratic strategists have worried for months about California’s unique primary system, which advances the top two vote-getters regardless of party affiliation. With numerous Democrats potentially splitting the vote, party leaders fear they could be shut out of the November general election.
“Nobody has really caught fire,” noted Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta, who is not affiliated with any campaign. “Swalwell’s supporters will scatter out to other candidates.”
Several prominent Democrats remain in the race, including billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former U.S. Representative Katie Porter, who recently lost a U.S. Senate primary. Steyer has leveraged his considerable wealth to flood media markets with advertisements, while Villaraigosa has focused his messaging on California’s high cost of living.
The political jockeying began immediately after Swalwell’s announcement. Porter took to social media, sharing a San Francisco Chronicle column suggesting Democrats could “pull victory from the jaws of defeat by coalescing around Porter.” Steyer quickly announced he had secured endorsements from several legislators, including Representative Jared Huffman, whose district neighbors Swalwell’s Bay Area home turf.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, a Democrat making his first statewide run, used a national television appearance to position himself as an alternative to both Steyer and Republican frontrunner Steve Hilton. Mahan characterized the race as a choice between “a billionaire who made his fortune investing in private prisons, ICE facilities, oil and gas companies” and “a MAGA-backed TV commentator,” adding that “California deserves so much better.”
On the Republican side, the field remains equally unsettled. Former President Donald Trump has endorsed Hilton, a conservative commentator who hosted a Fox News program for six years. However, at a recent state convention, Republican delegates split their support between Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, resulting in no official party endorsement.
The uncertainty surrounding the race has some Democrats lamenting that higher-profile potential candidates, including Vice President Kamala Harris and U.S. Senator Alex Padilla, declined to enter the contest.
Swalwell’s political collapse came swiftly. After the allegations emerged, he quickly lost support from powerful labor unions and former allies, including California U.S. Senator Adam Schiff and Representative Jimmy Gomez. Swalwell, who gained national prominence as a House manager in Trump’s second impeachment trial, had represented his Bay Area district since 2013.
Although Swalwell has suspended his campaign, election officials note that his name cannot be removed from the primary ballot, adding another complication to an already unpredictable race that will determine who leads the nation’s most populous state.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
14 Comments
This is a messy situation, but it’s good that Swalwell recognized the distraction and stepped aside. Voters deserve candidates who can stay focused on the job at hand.
The California governor’s race just got a lot more unpredictable. It will be interesting to see how the candidates respond and whether any of them can capitalize on Swalwell’s exit.
This is a messy situation, but I’m hopeful the remaining candidates can rise above the drama and present their visions for California’s future. Voters need to hear substantive policy proposals, not just political theater.
This is a surprising development in the California governor’s race. It will be interesting to see how the remaining candidates respond to the fallout from Swalwell’s resignation.
I agree, the timing could be crucial with mail ballots going out soon. The new allegations against Swalwell will likely dominate the news cycle ahead of the primary.
This is a turbulent time in California politics. I’m curious to see if any of the other candidates can capitalize on the chaos and gain ground ahead of the primary.
This is a pivotal moment in the race for California governor. The candidates must demonstrate leadership and a clear agenda for the state, rather than get mired in personal scandals.
Swalwell’s departure is certainly a dramatic twist, but the show must go on. The remaining candidates need to put forward a clear, compelling agenda for the state.
Agreed. The Californians deserve a robust, issues-focused campaign that goes beyond the personal controversies.
The fallout from Swalwell’s resignation is sure to dominate the headlines, but the candidates should stay focused on the real challenges facing the state, like the economy, environment, and public safety.
Swalwell’s resignation is a major shakeup in the race. It will be critical for the remaining candidates to articulate their vision for California and address the state’s pressing challenges.
The timing of the new allegations against Swalwell is certainly suspicious. I hope the candidates can move the discussion back to substantive policy issues that matter to Californians.
The race for California governor is getting more complicated by the day. Swalwell’s departure leaves an opening for other candidates to gain traction, but the scandal will linger.
You’re right, the candidates will need to tread carefully and focus on the key issues facing the state rather than getting bogged down in personal controversies.