Two House members have resigned amidst allegations of sexual misconduct, creating additional vacancies in the closely divided chamber. California Governor Gavin Newsom has called for a special election on August 18 to replace Representative Eric Swalwell, while the fate of Tony Gonzales' seat remains uncertain.
Swalwell resigned following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, which he has denied. Gonzales announced his retirement after facing allegations of pressuring a staff member into a sexual relationship and sending her explicit text messages.
A special election has been scheduled for August 18 to fill Swalwell's seat, but the timing of Gonzales' replacement is unclear. The House Ethics Committee had initiated investigations into both Congressmen.
The vacancies have created a competitive field of candidates, including state Senator Aisha Wahab, former Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez, and San Leandro City Councilmember Victor Aguilar Jr.
The current composition of the House may influence the Governor's decision on when to fill Gonzales' seat, with Republicans maintaining a slim majority.
