Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell announced his decision to leave Congress amidst serious allegations of sexual assault, which he strongly denies. This announcement also means he will be exiting the competitive race for California governor, a contest already thrown into disarray by the accusations and a rapid decline in his support.
The accusations against Swalwell surfaced shortly before he made his announcement, following a report detailing allegations from a former employee who claims he assaulted her in 2019 and again in 2024. Subsequent reports indicated that additional women have accused him of various forms of sexual misconduct, including sending explicit messages.
In response to the allegations, Swalwell suspended his gubernatorial campaign, stating, I will fight the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my fight, not a campaign’s. His exit from the race opens the door for other candidates such as former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer, who are now positioning themselves to attract Swalwell's former supporters ahead of the crucial primary.
As Swalwell prepares to depart from Congress, the governor's race continues to evolve, raising concerns within the Democratic party about splitting the vote among multiple candidates. Currently, there are seven established Democrats running for the primary in a state traditionally dominated by Democrats.
Once Swalwell formally leaves Congress, a special election will be called to fill his vacancy, contingent on California's election laws. This unexpected dissolution of his presence raises questions about the future political landscape, not only for the gubernatorial race but also for the dynamics within the House of Representatives.
