California Democrats Scramble After Swalwell's Abrupt Exit

Scandal-plagued Swalwell's withdrawal leaves party in disarray as new contenders emerge

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:08pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A dynamic, abstract painting in vibrant colors depicting the silhouette of a politician in motion, conveying a sense of chaos and uncertainty surrounding the California governor's race.The sudden departure of Eric Swalwell from the California governor's race has thrown the Democratic party into disarray, with a crowded field of candidates vying to replace him.San Jose Today

The sudden departure of former Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell from the California governor's race has thrown the party into chaos, with a crowded field of candidates vying to replace him. Political experts are divided on which candidate could emerge as the frontrunner, with billionaire Tom Steyer and former Rep. Katie Porter seen as potential frontrunners, but lower-polling candidates like Xavier Becerra and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan also seen as having a path to victory.

Why it matters

Swalwell's withdrawal came after reports surfaced of alleged misconduct, leaving the Democratic party scrambling to unite behind a new candidate. The large number of contenders and lack of a clear frontrunner has created uncertainty and disarray within the party, raising the possibility of a general election matchup between two Republicans.

The details

Just days after being positioned as the top Democratic candidate, Swalwell abruptly ended his campaign and resigned from Congress following reports of alleged misconduct with a former staffer. This has left the Democratic field wide open, with a crowded slate of over 20 candidates still certified for the June primary. While experts see Steyer and Porter as potential frontrunners, they also note that lower-polling candidates like Becerra and Mahan could rally the base. The California Teachers Association has already thrown its support behind Steyer, marking a significant shift away from Swalwell.

  • On Friday, April 12, 2026, reports surfaced of a former Swalwell staffer accusing him of making advances and alleged sexual assault.
  • Also on April 12, CNN published a report detailing three other women's interactions with Swalwell, accusing him of abusing his power.
  • On the same day the reports broke, prediction markets immediately shifted in favor of Steyer becoming the next Democratic nominee.

The players

Eric Swalwell

Former Democratic U.S. Representative who was previously a top contender for the California governor's race before withdrawing his candidacy and resigning from Congress amid allegations of misconduct.

Tom Steyer

Billionaire and failed 2020 presidential candidate who is now seen as a potential frontrunner for the Democratic nomination for California governor.

Katie Porter

Former Democratic U.S. Representative who is also considered a top contender for the Democratic nomination for California governor.

Xavier Becerra

Former California Attorney General who some experts believe could rally the Democratic base and emerge as a strong candidate.

Matt Mahan

San Jose Mayor who is seen by some as having a path to victory despite lower polling numbers.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“I've been in politics for about 30 years and I've never seen such chaos like this.”

— Marva Diaz, Publisher, California Target Book

“What I'm seeing, and what I had wondered for a long time, [is] I think many folks are gonna move toward Xavier Becerra. If you just think about experience, he's the strongest candidate, and it has puzzled me for a long time why he wasn't the Democratic favorite.”

— Sarah Hill, Political Science Professor, Cal State Fullerton

“There's still a small chance of a Bianco [and] Hilton general [election]. I don't want to completely rule it out, [but] I think it's just gone down with the Trump endorsement [of Hilton].”

— Christian Grose, Political Science Professor, University of Southern California

What’s next

The California Democratic party leadership is expected to work on unifying the party behind a single candidate, with Governor Gavin Newsom reportedly attempting to 'make sense' of the crowded field and prevent a lockout scenario where two Republicans advance to the general election.

The takeaway

The chaotic exit of Eric Swalwell from the California governor's race has left the Democratic party in disarray, with a large and divided field of candidates vying to replace him. This uncertainty raises the possibility of an unconventional general election matchup, underscoring the need for the party to quickly coalesce around a frontrunner.