The political chess for the California Governorship has begun to move this Monday, after one of the most favored by the polls, Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, withdrew from the race and resigned from the U.S. Congress, following the allegations of several women for alleged sexual abuse.
“This exit changes the stakes in an election that has not been very clear for Democrats,” Luis Alvarado, a former Republican campaign adviser and analyst who now identifies himself as an independent, tells EFE.
He was the favorite to succeed Gavin Newsom.
Four women have described sexual misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell, including a former staffer who says he raped her. The Democrat, a candidate for governor of California, has denied the allegations. https://t.co/LonPnTXfXc pic.twitter.com/MWCpv6kMnX
– CNN (@CNN) April 10, 2026
California, the most populous U.S. state and the world’s fourth largest economy, elects Gavin Newsom’s replacement in November.
All eyes are on the primaries on June 2, when the two candidates with the highest number of votes, regardless of their party, will be chosen.
The outlook for the race has been unclear because of the number of challengers, 10 potential registrants, eight of them Democrats.
In last month’s Emerson College Polling survey, Swalwell led with 17% support, followed by Republican Steve Hilton (13%), who was endorsed by President Donald Trump.
Eric Swalwell resigns from Congress: the reason why
– Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 13, 2026
The campaign of Swalwell, who has represented a Northern California district since 2013, came crashing down last Friday when CNN and the San Francisco Chronicle brought to light allegations from several women.
The testimony that has drawn the most attention is that of a former employee who claimed that the congressman sexually assaulted her on at least two occasions when she was too drunk to consent.
“I would push him away, tell him no,” the woman told CNN about the incident that occurred, she said, after she had stopped working in Swalwell’s office.
Three other women who spoke to CNN also reported various types of sexual misconduct by the politician. Swalwell has denied the allegations.
“I deeply apologize.”
Hear it directly from me. These allegations are flat false. And I will fight them. pic.twitter.com/bQSlCquD1U
– Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 11, 2026
However, the allegations prompted influential Democrats and labor unions to withdraw their support, forcing Swalwell to cancel his campaign.
The Manhattan (New York) District Attorney’s Office announced that it opened an investigation against the congressman and the House Ethics Committee said it opened an investigation against him.
Swalwell announced Monday afternoon in an X message that he is leaving Congress.
“I deeply apologize to my family, my staff and my constituents for the errors of judgment I made in the past. I will fight the serious and false accusation that has been made against me. However, I must take responsibility and own up to the mistakes I did make.”
The new leader?
I’ve been busy fighting for California. And I’m glad you’re here.
Join us – https://t.co/bG1yLJMa3a. pic.twitter.com/Xm6FUrxAId
– Xavier Becerra (@XavierBecerra) April 13, 2026
With Swalwell out of the game, there are still nine challengers left for the California Governor’s race, and the Democratic Party will have to take the reins in one of its strongest enclaves.
“There is a vacuum in the Democratic political universe after the defeat of(Kamala) Harris. This is the time for them to take a very good look at who they will give support to and how they unite because they have the risk of letting the two Republicans pass (from the primaries to the general election) if the vote is split,” Alvarado opined.
Swalwell, who had a meteoric rise in his race for Governor, won the support of leaders such as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and California Senator Adam Schiff.
Billionaire Tom Steyer and former Congresswoman Katie Porter were following Swalwell closely and would eventually benefit the most.
But Alvarado believes that political veteran Xavier Becerra, who served as secretary of Health and Human Services in Joe Biden’s administration (2021-2025), could have a chance with Swalwell’s departure, as he is close to the party’s top leaders, including Pelosi and Newsom himself.
Becerra represented California in the U.S. Congress for 20 years, and was elected to replace Harris in the California District Attorney’s Office, from where he won several battles against Trump, including upholding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
“This is the time to have a governor who knows how to win, who has the experience to fight and win,” Becerra said Monday as he received the support of CHIRLA ACTION FUND.
Filed under: Eric Swalwell resigns
With information from EFE
