California gubernatorial candidates will try to seize the opportunity after Eric Swalwell, one of the favorites for the position, dropped out of the race after receiving accusations of abuse and sexual misconduct.
During a forum held this Tuesday afternoon in Sacramentoa pair of the leading candidates to succeed Gavin Newsom in office had the opportunity to make statements for the first time following Swalwell’s resignation from his campaign.
Five Democrats and one Republican attended the forum, who presented their campaign arguments and detailed his plans to make California a more affordable, business-friendly state.
Keep reading: Newsom calls special election after Swalwell resigns from Congress
In statements to the press, a couple of candidates made critical comments regarding Swalwellin addition to addressing issues of interest to voters, such as the increase in gasoline, electricity and food prices.
“He (Swalwell) was leading the race. Because? Because we let ourselves be carried away by the first opportunity that presented itself to us,” declared the former mayor of Los Angeles, Democrat Antonio Villaraigosa.
For the former mayor of Los Angeles, Swalwell’s departure represents a new beginning in the career by the governor of California.
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Conservative commentator Steve Hilton, a leading Republican candidate and backed by President Donald Trump, said: The Swalwell scandal was proof that the Democratic Party was mired in a crisis.
“This Democratic Party has been in power for so long that it is now falling apart, descending into confusion, chaos and scandal. We need urgent change“Hilton said.
Swalwell announced this Monday his resignation as a representative in Congressa day after abandoning his electoral campaign, following accusations of abuse and sexual misconduct published on April 10 by the newspaper “San Francisco Chronicle” and the CNN network.
Keep reading: Trump publicly endorses Hilton for California governor
To those accusations, this Tuesday that of a former model joinedwho at a press conference in Beverly Hills alleged that Swalwell raped and assaulted her in 2018.
In his press release declaring his resignation, Eric Swalwell denied the allegations.
After learning of Swalwell’s resignation, some of the candidates try to take advantage of the opportunity to seek the support of followers of the now former representative, in the middle of a close race, which has its primary elections on June 2 with the participation of more than 50 candidates.
Keep reading: USC cancels debate between candidates for California governor
The Democratic side fears that the large number of candidates could divide the vote and leave the door open for two Republican contenders advance to November general electionto which the two candidates with the most votes in the primaries have access.
In addition to Hilton, another strong Republican contender is Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.
At the moment, it is very difficult to know the fate of the preferences of Swalwell’s supporterswhich could be distributed among the seven strongest Democratic candidates in the race.
Keep reading: USC denies bias in political debate for California gubernatorial candidates
For the Democratic mayor of San José, Matt Mahan, who is participating for the first time in a state election, declared this Tuesday that his best objective is show voters that he can get good results as governor.
“The antidote to what we see in our politics today—growing populism on the right and left, with candidates who base their campaigns on ego or fame, like Trump or Swalwell— It is competent leadership.“Mahan said.
Liberal activist Tom Steyer dips into his personal funds to boost his campaign with media ads, while Villaraigosa tries to return to politics after his failure in the gubernatorial election in 2018.
Keep reading: Candidates in California ask to suspend state gasoline tax
On the Democratic side, another strong candidate is former congresswoman Katie Portercandidate for the state executive after losing in the elections to the United States Senate in 2024.
At the forum this Tuesday in Sacramento Chad Bianco and Katie Porter were absent.
Although Swalwell already canceled his campaign for governor of California, Your name will be registered on the June primary ballot..
Keep reading:
· Xavier Becerra criticizes USC for lack of equity in government debate
· Congressman Swalwell leads poll for California governor
· Candidate for governor of California, Tom Steyer, integrates Julie Chávez, granddaughter of César Chávez, into his team
