Newsom sets special election to replace Eric Swalwell in Congress

Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a special election to replace Rep. Eric Swalwell, whose resignation from Congress took effect Tuesday. 

The election to replace the Castro Valley Democrat, who resigned from the House and withdrew from the California governor’s race following sexual assault allegations first reported by the Chronicle, will take place on Aug. 18.

Swalwell’s resignation on Tuesday took place too close to the upcoming June 2 primary election to consolidate the races.

Whoever wins the Aug. 18 special election will only serve a matter of months before Swalwell’s current term ends at the beginning of 2027.

Because California candidates can only run for one office at a time, an open contest to replace Swalwell in the House was already underway before allegations of sexual assault roiled the California governor’s race and brought a swift end to his congressional career.

The candidates running in the June primary for a full term in Congress include state Sen. Aisha Wahab, former Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez and San Leandro City Council Member Victor Aguilar Jr.