Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell of California said in a post on X on Monday that he planned to step down from his role, after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct surfaced against him. He continued to deny the allegations, but said that it is “wrong for my constituents to have me distracted from my duties.”
About an hour after Swalwell announced that he would resign, Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales of Texas said in a post on X that he would retire from office.
Both Swalwell and Gonzales had faced growing calls to resign from office before their announcements. The House Ethics Committee had launched investigations into both Congressmen.
Both lawmakers officially stepped down on Tuesday. But it’s uncertain at this point when—and by whom—their seats will be filled.
California law gives the Governor 14 days after a vacancy opens in the House to call a special election, which usually must be held between 126 and 140 days after that announcement. But the timeline can be extended to 200 days to “consolidate” the election with another—and with the Nov. 3 election currently just over 200 days away, that means Newsom could opt not to call a special election in this instance.
Texas law in most cases requires the Governor to schedule a special election to fill a House vacancy on the “first uniform election date” to fall at least 36 days after the election is ordered. But the last of those dates before the fall midterms is now less than 36 days away, meaning that Gonzales’ seat would just be filled in November—unless Abbott decides to call an emergency special election. Such a move wouldn’t be without precedent: Abbott called such an election in 2018, after Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold resigned on April 6 that year.
The current makeup of the House could play into what the Governors decide to do next. Republicans hold a majority in the House, but it is razor thin; with Swalwell and Gonzales officially stepping down, the President’s party currently occupies 216 seats and Democrats 213. Three other seats are vacant and one is held by an Independent—Rep. Kevin Kiley of California—who left the GOP last month but has continued to caucus with the party. One of those vacancies, left by former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene after she resigned in January, is being filled by Republican Clay Fuller, who won a special runoff election last week. He is expected to be sworn into office on Tuesday, which would bring the party’s seats in the House back up to 217. Special elections are set to be held to fill the others in April and August.
Democrats have thrived in special elections over the past year, winning multiple races by significant margins and overperforming the party’s 2024 numbers in several races they ultimately lost. Republicans’ seats—and their majorities in the House and Senate—could also be at risk in the general election, which will be pivotal for both political parties. Democrats are cautiously optimistic about their chances to gain some Congressional seats, especially in the House, which they hope to reclaim. And historically, the President’s party tends to lose seats in midterm elections.
Both Swalwell and Gonzales’ seats, though, are likely to remain in the hands of their respective parties; The Cook Political Report categorizes Swalwell’s seat as “solid” for Democrats, among the safest races in this year’s midterms, and rates Gonzales’ seat as “likely” for Republicans, just one step down from “solid.”
Hence then, the article about what will happen to eric swalwell and tony gonzales house seats was published today ( ) and is available on Time ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( What Will Happen to Eric Swalwell and Tony Gonzales’ House Seats? )
Also on site :
- Julie Greenwald and Max Lousada Launch 26.2, a New Label, in Partnership With Sony Music
- Severe weather with ‘potentially strong' tornadoes could form in these parts of the Chicago area
- Best-Selling Writer Releases First New Novel in 20 Years to Sweeping Critical Acclaim: 'It's Well Worth Taking the Plunge'