Swalwell fallout reorders California’s high-stakes governor’s race

Sexual misconduct allegations against Rep. Eric Swalwell have upended California’s crowded governor’s race, with endorsements pulled and prominent Democrats urging Swalwell to withdraw. The field remains wide open heading into the June jungle primary, as candidates like Katie Porter, Xavier Becerra, Antonio Villaraigosa, Matt Mahan, Tom Steyer, Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco vie for support. The Democratic National Committee’s California delegation quickly issued a statement urging accountability and Swalwell’s withdrawal, while debates on April 22 and May 5 loom large as campaigns seek to capture Swalwell’s base. Analysts warn no candidate has a clear lane yet, making the contest highly fluid and potentially letting Republicans into the top-two spot.