Special election date set to replace Rep. Eric Swalwell

A date has been chosen to hold a special election to replace Rep. Eric Swalwell, who announced Monday that he would resign from Congress amid sexual misconduct and assault allegations.

Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation Tuesday, designating Aug. 18 as the special election date to fill the congressional seat for the 14th congressional district.

Swalwell had already planned on leaving his congressional job when his term comes to an end in December as he tried to become California’s next governor. Swalwell announced over the weekend that he was dropping out of the gubernatorial race amid the allegations.

It was not immediately clear why Newsom wanted voters in the 14th congressional district to pick someone who will serve for four months.

Special elections are often costly. When California held a special election last November for congressional redistricting, the state spent over $250 million.

Swalwell has been serving the 14th congressional district since 2023. He switched from the 15th congressional district, which he served for 10 years from 2012, due to new congressional maps.