5 most explosive moments from the California governor’s race — and how they turned it into a nail-biting blockbuster
The California governor's race has been marked by scandal and controversy, particularly following allegations against former Congressman Eric Swalwell. His downfall allowed Xavier Becerra to surge in the polls, benefiting from Swalwell's lost support. The race features a crowded field of candidates and has drawn national attention due to its dramatic developments.
- ▪Eric Swalwell faced serious allegations of sexual misconduct, leading to his suspension from the gubernatorial race.
- ▪Xavier Becerra capitalized on Swalwell's downfall, rising in the polls to become a leading candidate.
- ▪The race includes 61 candidates, with significant scrutiny on various candidates' backgrounds and controversies.
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Politics 5 most explosive moments from the California governor’s race — and how they turned it into a nail-biting blockbuster By Zain Khan Published June 2, 2026, 8:00 p.m. ET See more of our coverage in your search results. Add The California Post on Google The race to succeed California Gov. Gavin Newsom was marked by scandal, party infighting and national scrutiny — creating some controversial moments that could not be scripted. Sixty-one candidates are on the ballot. Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Trump-endorsed Fox News commentator Steve Hilton, and billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer all lead the field for the state’s top job.
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Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at California Post.