Governor Gavin Newsom has scheduled a special election to fill a vacant seat in the Bay Area representing the state’s 14th Congressional District.
In a proclamation, Governor Newsom announced that the special election will be held on August 18, 2026, following the resignation of Representative Eric Swalwell.
Governors are authorized to issue orders for special elections to fill vacancies when the incumbent representative dies, resigns, or leaves office for any reason before the end of their term. Unlike the Senate, there is no constitutional provision to appoint an interim representative.
More details about the election process, candidate filings, and the primary election are expected to follow later.
Democratic congressman Swalwell submitted his resignation to the House of Representatives on April 14, 2026, over allegations of sexual misconduct.
Swalwell, a former Democratic presidential candidate, was in the gubernatorial race that is slated for later this year. First elected in 2012, Swalwell has served as a seven-term representative from the Bay Area seat.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 13, 2026
Multiple Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
Announcing his resignation in a social media post, he apologized to his family, staff, and constituents for his past “mistakes in judgment” and said he would fight the “serious, false allegations” made against him.
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) April 13, 2026
Addressing the “anonymous allegations” of sexual assault, he said the incidents “did not happen and have never happened.”
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
Swalwell’s resignation comes following investigations that brought to light at least two incidents of sexual assault and sexual encounters with female employees, The San Francisco Standard and CNN reported.
Four women alleged various kinds of sexual misconduct by Swalwell, including nonconsensual sexual contact when they were intoxicated and sending them unsolicited explicit messages, according to CNN.
CNN said it had corroborated key elements of all the women’s claims, including a former employee who alleged that Swalwell had sexually assaulted her.
Swalwell Under Federal Scrutiny
In another incident seemingly unrelated to the sexual misconduct complaints, Swalwell is under federal scrutiny for two allegations related to his children’s nanny, The San Francisco Standard reported.
Citing NY Post, The Standard said Swalwell and his wife allegedly lied to the federal government to renew the Brazilian nanny’s immigration work authorization.
In another complaint, made to the Department of Homeland Security, Swalwell reportedly paid the nanny using campaign funds when she was without work authorization.
Another federal investigation centered around Swalwell’s residence. According to The Standard, Swalwell and three other Democratic officials are facing mortgage and tax fraud allegations from the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
At least Swalwell had the accountability and dignity to drop out. Meanwhile, we have an admitted sex abuser and adjudicated rapist being supported by millions who don’t care, unless it’s a Democrat.
See the difference, folks?
And look how fast it’s all happened, since it became public. He’s not digging his heels in and defiantly abusing the court system to avoid responsibility, or trying to drag it out until after the election, like the rapist in the White House.
Kirk – Darn, I never knew using our “court system” was considered a defiant abuse of a system to avoid responsibility when charged with a crime. What would you define a system/prosecutor(s) that are allowed to add criminal charges against a person knowing some of the charges are not justified, aka malicious prosecution or an abuse of the “court system?” What are you boys going to do when Trump leaves the WH? Of course he might choose to run again in ’28 and truly drive you rear nuttier that it already is. Please don’t tell me you think the turnip that recently left the WH could do anything near what Trump has done in an attempt to seek world peace.
Dollies counting 1+1 on both hands again
DOOLLY – no need to even read your screed. Same old lies, 3rd grader logic and useless whining.
sacjon – it is seriously like reading a 3rd graders scribble with finger paints, but not as articulate!!!
So many words, so little thought.
This … thing continues to embarrass itself with absurd idiotic comments.
Do_Lie with more excuses for abuses.
An absolutely incredible and unexpected turn of events. Rep. Swalwell (former Rep. that is) was the clear front-runner and shoe-in to be the next Cali Governor. Now that he’s no longer in the race, his name gets scratched off the list of contenders. Although for different reasons, front-runner and shoe-in for the SB Mayoral race was current mayor Randy Rowse who just dropped out. This means HIS name gets scratched off the list of contenders so obviously this changes things dramatically in our local race. Looking at several CA Gov. polls, Katie Porter and Tom Steyer are picking up the Swalwell vote. Surprisingly, Steve Hilton remains near the top in many polls, but I highly doubt he would win going head-to-head against Steyer or Porter.
Captain obvious strikes again with feeble toddler analysis.
It’s a combination of obvious and oblivious. Of course Hilton remains near the top since he’s the leading GOP contender and Trump endorsed him–how is it surprising when this doesn’t affect his support? As for going head to head, we have to get there first … with the Dem vote splitting between Steyer, Porter, and Becerra and with some Swalwell supporters likely staying home or writing him in (that would be incredibly foolish, but this is America), we could still end up in the worst of all possible worlds with Hilton and Bianco taking the two spots.
Speaking of Steyer, here’s a piece on his forum yesterday from actual journalists:
https://www.newspress.com/2026/04/16/billionaire-tom-steyer-candidate-for-governor-draws-more-than-400-people-in-packed-santa-barbara-town-hall-forum/
Bee Knee posts seem like they are written by someone with the IQ of a potato.
You can neither spell nor understand the meaning of “shoo-in”.
“Swalwell is under federal [FAR RIGHT] scrutiny for two allegations related to his children’s nanny, The San Francisco Standard [FAR RIGHT] reported.
Citing NY Post [FAR RIGHT], The Standard [FAR RIGHT] said Swalwell and his wife allegedly lied to the federal government [FAR RIGHT] to renew the Brazilian nanny’s immigration work authorization.
In another complaint, made to the Department of Homeland Security [FAR RIGHT], Swalwell reportedly paid the nanny using campaign funds when she was without work authorization.”
Another federal [FAR RIGHT] investigation centered around Swalwell’s residence. According to The Standard [FAR RIGHT], Swalwell and three other Democratic officials are facing mortgage and tax fraud allegations from the director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency [FAR RIGHT]. ”
You need better sources for this nonsense, Ed.
Hmmm, you think Ed is tiptoeing right? I agree with everything you just said btw. No excuses, but citing such sources doesn’t convey confidence.
Tiptoeing? No. I have no doubt that Swalwell is guilty of sexual assault (I follow Mrs. Frazzled and so I know the details of these charges and how they developed, from unimpeachable sources). But the tRump regime has weaponized the “justice” department and other arms of the government (much as they falsely accused Biden of), and the nanny and fraud allegations are BS.
Steyer is a crazy billionaire begging for us to believe he relates to the middle class. Phony!!
Non sequitur BS.
From you that’s an endorsement.
Watching finger-painters like KEVIN kick and scream about Swalwell and pretend there was some “cover up” is disgustingly hilarious. How can a person be so stupid as to believe that they have any ability to honestly criticize others who were UNAWARE of his horrific deeds and who IMMEDIATELY condemned him and pushed for his removal from the public stage while they voted for a KNOWN RAPIST and still gleefully support and defend at every turn slob who has gone out of his way to protect child rapists and has been accused of the same?
You all KNEW and DEFENDED/COVERED UP what Trump and other MAGAts have done. To see you freak out about a Dem getting what’s due is ridiculous.
Look up the word, “hypocrite.”
Special Kev was a January 6th “sight seer”
BASIC – acknowledging Swalwell’s actions and calling out those who ignore the same actions WITHOUT the same accountability is not a “whatabout.”
No one is ignoring or deflecting from Swalwell. That’s something that makes us different and better than MAGAts.