The race for California governor has shifted after U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell suspended his campaign following sexual assault allegations. Prominent candidates, including five Democrats and one Republican, gathered in Sacramento Tuesday, April 14, to discuss their visions for the state.
The forum marked the first time the candidates convened since Swalwell’s abrupt departure, which has upended the wide-open race just weeks before voting begins in the June primary. The candidates mostly stuck to their campaign talking points, outlining plans to make California more affordable and business-friendly.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, a Democrat, said of Swalwell, “He was leading in the race. Why? Because we went after the first shiny object.” Villaraigosa added that Swalwell’s exit offered “a reset” in the race, with candidates now scrambling to capture his supporters.
Conservative commentator Steve Hilton, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, said the scandal demonstrates the Democratic party’s disarray. “This Democratic Party has been in power for so long, they really are collapsing now into confusion, chaos and scandal,” Hilton said, adding, “We’re desperate for change.”
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan stated that his focus was on showing voters he can deliver results. “The antidote to what we see in our politics today — the rising populism on the right and the left, candidates who run on ego and celebrity, whether it’s Donald Trump or Eric Swalwell — is competent leadership,” Mahan said.
With more than 50 candidates participating in the June 2 primary, Democrats have expressed concern that a divided vote could result in the party being locked out of the November election, with only Republicans on the general election ballot due to the state’s election rules.
While Trump has endorsed Hilton, the Republican party has yet to coalesce around a single candidate.
Several state lawmakers switched their support from Swalwell to billionaire hedge fund manager-turned-liberal activist Tom Steyer, who is using his personal fortune to fund media advertising. Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz said he believes Steyer will work to form strong relationships with the legislature and challenge the status quo due to his business background. Democratic Assemblymember Corey Jackson said that he and Steyer shared a “commitment to building an economy rooted in dignity for working people.” While Swalwell has suspended his campaign, his name will remain on the ballot.