The California governor’s race has entered a state of uncertainty following the withdrawal of Congressman Eric Swalwell, who suspended his campaign on Sunday amid multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Swalwell has denied the accusations and pledged to contest them. On Tuesday, a further accusation emerged, alleging he raped a woman in a West Hollywood hotel in 2018. Facing mounting pressure and the threat of expulsion from Congress, Swalwell formally resigned his congressional seat shortly thereafter.

Swalwell’s departure marks a significant upheaval in a Democratic field that was already characterized by a crowded, fragmented lineup lacking a clear frontrunner. With candidate filing closed and ballots set to be mailed in the coming weeks ahead of the June 2 primary, state Democrats now face the challenge of recalibrating their strategies on short notice.

Political analysts describe this as one of the most unpredictable gubernatorial contests California has seen in recent memory. “This really tosses the table over,” said Kim Nalder, a political science professor at Sacramento State University, noting that voters may now reevaluate candidates who had previously received less attention.

Among the seven remaining Democratic candidates, former U.S. Representative Katie Porter and billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer are seen as the most likely to capture Swalwell’s former supporters, though both have faced scrutiny and skepticism within the party. Other contenders, including former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and San José Mayor Matt Mahan, are also seizing the opportunity to broaden their appeal.

California’s gubernatorial race has been largely overshadowed in recent months by former President Donald Trump’s political maneuvers and the state’s redistricting efforts. High-profile Democrats such as Senator Kamala Harris, Latino trailblazer Alex Padilla, and Attorney General Rob Bonta all declined to enter the race, leaving a vacuum of well-known candidates. At the state Democratic convention in February, no candidate secured sufficient delegate support to claim the party’s endorsement, highlighting the fragmented nature of the field.

Swalwell, a seven-term congressman who had earned national attention for his vocal opposition to Trump, had recently gained momentum with key endorsements and favorable polling. However, the allegations surfaced shortly before the filing deadline, triggering a swift loss of support from backers and campaign staff.

The situation has heightened concerns among Democrats about the possibility of a Republican candidate advancing to the November general election due to the state’s “jungle primary” system, where the top two vote-getters proceed regardless of party affiliation. Although some analysts consider a Republican breakthrough unlikely due to Trump’s influence consolidating conservative voters, the Democratic division increases the risk.

Following the revelations about Swalwell, California Democratic Party Chair Rusty Hicks urged candidates to honestly assess their viability in the changing landscape. On the Republican side, Trump’s recent endorsement of conservative commentator Steve Hilton over Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco could shift the GOP dynamics, potentially benefiting Democrats.

Observers note that the Democratic contenders face challenges in galvanizing widespread enthusiasm. Porter has been hampered by past negative viral moments, while Steyer’s more traditional image struggles to resonate with younger voters, a critical demographic that helped Governor Gavin Newsom in 2018.

The aftermath of Swalwell’s exit leaves Democrats scrambling to unify behind a strong nominee capable of challenging Newsom, who is pursuing a second term. Political experts caution that the primary’s outcome may produce a nominee lacking broad appeal, complicating the party’s general election prospects.

“This race has reverted to square one,” said Dan Schnur, a political communication professor at UC Berkeley. “Eric Swalwell’s withdrawal has made it far more difficult to determine who will lead the Democratic ticket.”