California Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing Republican criticism over the election calendar set to fill two newly vacant U.S. House seats in the state — one left open by the resignation of Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell and the other by the death of Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom has come under Republican criticism over the special-election schedules set to fill two vacant U.S. House seats, with critics arguing that the timelines differ depending on which party previously held the seat.
Special election to replace Eric Swalwell
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California’s 14th Congressional District in the Bay Area, resigned this week amid multiple allegations of sexual assault and harassment, which he has denied. In a statement posted publicly, Swalwell apologized for “mistakes in judgment” while saying he would fight what he called a “serious, false allegation.” He also said it would be wrong for his constituents to have him “distracted” from his duties as an expulsion vote loomed.
The California Secretary of State lists a special primary election for the 14th District on June 16, 2026, and a special general (runoff, if needed) on August 18, 2026. Under California’s top-two special-election rules, a candidate must win more than 50% in the special primary to avoid a runoff.
Swalwell’s resignation followed the rapid collapse of his bid for governor. Reporting from the Associated Press described allies and endorsers pulling support after the allegations became public, and Swalwell subsequently suspended his campaign.
Special election to replace Doug LaMalfa
Newsom has also set an election schedule to fill the seat left vacant by the death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa, a Republican who represented California’s 1st Congressional District.
In a proclamation issued by Newsom’s office, the special election to fill the vacancy is scheduled for August 4, 2026, and state election materials indicate a special primary on June 2, 2026. As with the 14th District race, the contest can proceed to a runoff if no candidate wins a majority.
LaMalfa died in early January 2026, and the special-election schedule drew criticism from national Republicans, including in coverage by Roll Call that noted the August date falls at the outer edge of what California law allows.
Partisan criticism and responses
State Assemblymember Carl DeMaio, a Republican, accused Newsom of political favoritism in comments published by The Daily Wire, arguing that the governor delays elections longer when Republican-held seats become vacant.
Newsom’s office rejected the charge. Brandon Richards, a deputy director for rapid response in the governor’s office, told The Daily Wire that critics should “ask Greg Abbott about the 18th congressional district in Texas,” referencing a separate controversy in which Democrats criticized Texas Gov. Greg Abbott for a prolonged vacancy before he set election dates to fill the Houston-area seat after the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner.
Historical context
Republicans also pointed to Newsom’s decision in 2020 not to call a special election after then-Rep. Duncan Hunter resigned. At the time, Newsom said the timing and proximity to the next regular election did not warrant a separate special election, leaving the seat to be filled at the next general election.
House margins and redistricting claims
Republicans currently hold a narrow House majority. However, broader claims that California “added five Democrat-leaning seats” through “Proposition 50,” and that Texas “added five Republican-leaning” seats, could not be confirmed from official election and redistricting sources in this review. California’s widely recognized redistricting process is run by an independent commission, and while litigation and political disputes over maps are common, assertions about states “adding seats” would typically reflect reapportionment after the decennial census rather than a state ballot measure.
Voters in Virginia are scheduled to vote on April 21, 2026, on redistricting-related proposals, though the specific claim that the state would adopt a “10–1 Democrat map” could not be verified from authoritative state election materials here.
