The race to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom has been upended by a series of high-profile allegations against U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell, previously considered a leading contender in the Democratic field. As the June 2, 2026, primary approaches, the political landscape in California is shifting rapidly, leaving the Democratic party in a state of uncertainty.
Allegations and the Swalwell Campaign Crisis
In mid-April 2026, a report published by the San Francisco Chronicle detailed allegations of sexual assault against Representative Swalwell by a former staffer, citing incidents in 2019 and 2024. The crisis deepened shortly after when additional reports from national outlets included misconduct allegations from three other women.
Swalwell has remained defiant, characterizing the claims as false and politically motivated. Despite his denials and threats of legal action against his accusers, the political fallout has been immediate:
Staff Departures: High-level campaign officials, including Representative Jimmy Gomez, who served as campaign chair, have resigned from their positions.
Rescinded Endorsements: Major Democratic figures, including Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, have withdrawn their support. Furthermore, influential labor groups such as the California Teachers Association and SEIU California have suspended their endorsements.
Party Leadership Pressure: Prominent leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, have called for formal investigations and suggested that Swalwell should reconsider his candidacy to avoid damaging the party’s prospects in November.
Impact on the Gubernatorial Field
Before these allegations surfaced, the primary was characterized by a crowded field of Democrats in a virtual dead heat. The current instability has created an opening for other candidates to consolidate support.
Leading Democratic Contenders
With Swalwell’s future in the race uncertain, Representative Katie Porter and billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer have seen increased attention. Porter continues to poll strongly with the progressive base, while Steyer has pivoted his campaign to focus on ethics and accountability. Former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa also remain active, though they face the challenge of breaking through a fractured primary field.
Republican Momentum
The Democratic turmoil has provided a clear advantage to Republican candidates. Steve Hilton, the former Fox News host, has surged in recent polls following an endorsement from President Donald Trump. Hilton is currently competing for the top spot with Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is running a platform focused heavily on "law and order" and public safety.
The "Top Two" Primary Concern
California’s nonpartisan "top two" primary system means that the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation. Democratic strategists are concerned that if Swalwell remains in the race and splits the Democratic vote among several viable candidates, it could allow Hilton and Bianco to lock Democrats out of the general election entirely.
While California remains a deep-blue state, the current math of a fractured Democratic field vs. a consolidated Republican base makes a dual-Republican runoff a statistical possibility that the Democratic National Committee is desperate to avoid. Swalwell is expected to make a definitive statement regarding the future of his campaign in the coming days.
References
San Francisco Chronicle: "Swalwell Campaign Reels from Misconduct Allegations" (April 2026)
CNN: "Multiple Women Allege Misconduct by Rep. Eric Swalwell" (April 2026)
Los Angeles Times: "The 2026 California Governor’s Race: Polling and Analysis" (April 2026)
Sacramento Bee: "Labor Unions Suspend Support for Swalwell Following Report" (April 2026)
Associated Press: "Hilton Gains Momentum in CA Primary Following Trump Endorsement" (April 2026)