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RandySF

(85,273 posts) Mon Apr 20, 2026, 11:42 PM Monday

CA-14: California Dems want to quickly fill Swalwell's seat. They're hitting a snag.

California Democrats are maneuvering to quickly replace Rep. Eric Swalwell in an upcoming special election.

But the effort may be undermined by one of their own, threatening to leave the seat unfilled until after the August recess.

The seat, which Swalwell resigned after he was accused by multiple women of sexual assault and harassment, could be filled immediately if a candidate wins more than 50 percent of the vote in the special primary election in June.

Five Democratic candidates running in the regularly-scheduled primary to succeed Swalwell for a full term have pledged they would not also run in the June 16 special election. Their hope is that rallying around a single candidate would ensure that person wins an outright majority in the primary and could be quickly sworn in.

https://www.politico.com/news/2026/04/20/california-dems-swalwell-seat-00882425

4 replies

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CA-14: California Dems want to quickly fill Swalwell's seat. They're hitting a snag. (Original Post) RandySF Monday OP

I realize it's great to have a choice in a political race, but in California, there are too many in some important races Janbdwl72 Tuesday #1

Here we go, making it worse for ourselves, again. marble falls Tuesday #2

With death of Rep David Scott today, we are currently 212 to 217 in the house due to 3 democratic vacancies lostnfound 8 hrs ago #3

Can't they just have the primary and who ever wins that dsc 7 hrs ago #4

Janbdwl72

(272 posts)

1. I realize it's great to have a choice in a political race, but in California, there are too many in some important races

Reply to RandySF (Original post)

Tue Apr 21, 2026, 12:16 AM

Tuesday

Just like the Governor's race. Those votes don't need to be diluted. They are potentially hurting themselves.

marble falls

(72,233 posts)

2. Here we go, making it worse for ourselves, again.

Reply to RandySF (Original post)

Tue Apr 21, 2026, 12:44 AM

Tuesday

lostnfound

(17,569 posts)

3. With death of Rep David Scott today, we are currently 212 to 217 in the house due to 3 democratic vacancies

Reply to RandySF (Original post)

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 08:32 PM

8 hrs ago

Vacancies:
*Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) died 01/06/2026.
*Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) resigned 04/14/2026.
*Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-TX) resigned 04/14/2026.
*Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL) resigned 04/21/26.
*Rep. David Scott (D-GA) died 04/22/2026.

dsc

(53,421 posts)

4. Can't they just have the primary and who ever wins that

Reply to RandySF (Original post)

Wed Apr 22, 2026, 09:35 PM

7 hrs ago

the second place person drops. We have a run off system for primaries here if a candidate doesn't get at least 40 and win by at least 10 or get 50. Often the 2nd place person drops making the run off moot.

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