Eric Swalwell’s Exit Upends California Governor Race

San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has intensified his campaign for California governor by publicly criticizing government inefficiency, seeking to capitalize on the turmoil caused by Rep. Eric Swalwell’s abrupt exit from the race.

Mahan’s remarks come amid a crowded and unsettled contest for the state’s top office, following Swalwell’s withdrawal after facing sexual misconduct allegations. The former congressman, who had been among the leading Democratic contenders, announced his resignation from Congress and suspension of his gubernatorial bid on April 13, 2026, stating he would fight what he described as false allegations while apologizing for past “mistakes in judgment.”

Swalwell’s departure has disrupted what was already a competitive field lacking a clear front-runner, prompting rivals to scramble for his former supporters. With ballots already printed and early voting set to begin in under three weeks, Democrats are aggressively jockeying to consolidate support ahead of the state’s top-two, all-party primary.

In the wake of Swalwell’s exit, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan has launched a concentrated effort to increase his visibility across the state. Despite not reaching double digits in any public polling, Mahan’s campaign and an affiliated outside group are rolling out major advertising initiatives this week to introduce him to a broader electorate.

As mayor of San Jose — the heart of Silicon Valley — Mahan has garnered attention and support from prominent technology leaders since launching his campaign in late January. His outreach emphasizes critiques of governmental waste and inefficiency, positioning himself as a reform-oriented alternative in a race marked by uncertainty.

Meanwhile, a recent poll conducted by Emerson College and released on April 16, 2026, offers the first public glimpse of voter shifts since Swalwell’s scandal emerged. The survey of 1,000 Californians shows Republican candidates Steve Hilton and Chad Bianco leading the race with 17% and 14% support, respectively. Among Democrats, former Housing and Urban Development Secretary Tom Steyer leads with 14%, while Katie Porter and Xavier Becerra each hold 10%.

Notably, Becerra’s support has surged from just 3% in the firm’s prior March survey to 10%, reflecting what analysts describe as meaningful momentum among voters who previously backed Swalwell. The poll, commissioned by Inside California Politics and the Nexstar Media Group, indicates that while no Democrat currently leads, the race remains fluid as candidates vie for alignment with shifting voter preferences.

Political observers note that the absence of a dominant figure has created openings for both established names and lesser-known contenders. Former Democratic assemblyman and UC Berkeley lecturer Ted Lempert observed that while Steyer and Porter appear best positioned to benefit from Swalwell’s exit, a significant portion of the electorate remains undecided, leaving room for candidates like Mahan to make inroads through targeted messaging and outreach.

As the campaign enters its final stretch before early voting begins, the contest for California governor continues to evolve amid allegations, shifting alliances, and efforts by candidates to distinguish themselves in a field where no clear leader has yet emerged.