los angeles — after Dramatic fall Democratic US Rep. Eric Swalwell, race for Governor of California It moves.
Once a The main candidate To replace outgoing Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, Swalwell suspended his campaign — and then announced he would resign from Congress — after allegations that he had sexually assaulted a woman. A long list of remaining candidates is scheduled to gather Tuesday in Sacramento, their first public appearance together since Swalwell’s departure widely reshaped the open contest.
Meanwhile, lawyers said a woman will detail new misconduct allegations against Swalwell on Tuesday in Beverly Hills.
In a crowded race with no clear leader in the heavily Democratic state, Swalwell’s exit represents an opportunity for his former rivals to pick up former supporters just weeks before mail-in ballots reach voters in early May. The results of the June 2 primary election, which includes more than 50 candidates, are unpredictable.
Democrats have Feared for months The large field of candidates splitting the vote could disqualify the party from the November election, with only Republicans appearing on the general election ballot amid a flaw in the state’s election rules.
Meanwhile, Republicans have not yet settled on a preferred candidate. President Donald Trump The commentator supported the conservative Steve HiltonBut Republicans at the state convention did not endorse a gubernatorial candidate, with Helton’s support split with Chad BiancoRiverside County Sheriff.
Swalwell decision His campaign suspension Followed by Sunday Published allegations In the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. He remained defiant, saying: “I will fight the dangerous false claims that have been made – but this is my fight, not a campaign.”
He said on Monday that he intends to resign from Congress, but did not specify a date for his resignation. He wrote in X that it was unfair to his constituents to distract him from his duties. He said he would continue to fight the accusations against him, adding: “I must take responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I made.”
It’s difficult to predict where Swalwell’s supporters will go, and they could be scattered across the field of seven established Democrats remaining in the race, with some voters losing interest in the contest.
Swalwell is perhaps best known nationally as Trump’s House manager Second impeachment trial In early 2021, he did not have strong ties with Democrats across the state outside the San Francisco Bay Area.
Democrats are struggling to find traction with voters.
Billionaire hedge fund manager turned liberal activist Tom Steyer He used his personal wealth to cover the media with advertisements. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is trying to make a comeback after failing to run for governor in 2018, and Katie Porter is among the most prominent Democrats after failing to run for the US Senate in 2024.
Porter posted a line from a San Francisco Chronicle column on X saying “Democrats can snatch victory from the jaws of defeat by coalition around Porter.” Steyer said he had the support of a few lawmakers, including Rep. Jared Huffman, a Democrat whose coastal district is north of San Francisco, not far from Swalwell’s home state. Villaraigosa ran a new ad promising to lower gas and grocery costs in a state known for its high costs of living.
While Swalwell has suspended his campaign, his name cannot be removed from the ballot.
“Nobody was really on fire,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta, who was not involved in the campaign. Swalwell’s supporters “will scatter among the other candidates.”
Many Democrats had hoped that former Vice President Kamala Harris, or US Senator Alex Padilla, would enter the race, but they refused.
In Sacramento, a group of state lawmakers quickly switched their support from Swalwell to Steyer. Democratic Assemblyman Nick Schultz said he believes Steyer will do his best to form strong relationships with the Legislature. Schultz added that Steyer’s business background — he has never held public office — means he will challenge the status quo.
Democratic Assemblyman Corey Jackson — who also turned to Steyer — said he wanted to support a candidate who has a legitimate chance of winning. He said in a statement that he and Steyer share a “commitment to building an economy rooted in the dignity of working people.”
Democratic San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, running for governor in his first statewide election, sought to distinguish his record from Steyer and Hilton, the Republican candidate known for hosting a show on Fox News for six years.
With Swalwell’s exit, “we now have a field that includes a billionaire who made his fortune investing in private prisons, ICE facilities, oil and gas companies…and a MAGA-backed television commentator on the other,” Mahan said on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.”
“California deserves much better,” Mahan said.
Swalwell’s rapid downfall came amid mounting pressure on him to leave Congress. He had earlier lost the support of powerful labor unions that supported his candidacy, along with his former allies, including California in the United States. Senator Adam Schiff And Representative Jimmy Gomez.