California's governor's race has been thrown into uncertainty after Rep. Eric Swalwell's campaign was derailed by sexual misconduct allegations.
Fresh calls within the Democratic Party for Governor Gavin Newsom to intervene have raised questions about whether he will step in.
Newsom might choose to stay on the sidelines, but there are several reasons why he could step in: the risk of a Republican lockout, protecting his political legacy, and pressure from party leaders.
However, there are also reasons why Newsom may hold back: reluctance to pick sides, no clear consensus candidate, concerns about the current field, and limited control over a fragmented race.
For now, Newsom appears to be taking a cautious stance, gathering data, consulting allies, and assessing how the race evolves.
