The recent implosion of Eric Swalwell’s political campaign and career has created an unexpected opportunity for lesser-known Democratic contenders in the California gubernatorial race. With Swalwell stepping down amid serious accusations of rape, sexual assault, and other misconduct, a shift in focus has emerged, with some candidates emphasizing their roles as devoted family men.

Seizing the moment, former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan are positioning themselves as candidates of integrity and experience. As the electorate reevaluates the field, these leaders are highlighting their personal character as a cornerstone of their campaigns.

Michael Bustamante, Becerra’s campaign spokesperson, underscored Becerra’s long-standing marriage to Carolina Reyes, a physician, as a testament to his stability and reliability. Demonstrating his commitment to family, Becerra chose to truncate media engagements on Tuesday evening to celebrate his wife’s birthday with their daughter, an immigration attorney based in Salinas.

“Experience is crucial, and Xavier Becerra undeniably brings the most experience of any candidate in this race,” Bustamante stated. “While he may not be the most flamboyant, his steady leadership and exceptional skill set will shine through when he assumes the governorship.”

“Experience matters, and Xavier Becerra by far has the greatest amount of experience of any of the candidates in the field,” Bustamante said.

“He’s not the flashiest, but he certainly has a steady hand on the wheel, and at the end he will demonstrate his extraordinary skill set and prowess once he becomes governor.”

Mahan’s campaign is taking a similar approach, casting the mayor as a relatable and grounded figure with a stable personal life.

Raghu Devaguptapu, a political consultant for Mahan’s campaign, described his candidate as “the epitome of a family man.”

“He and his wife have two kids and they’re a great family,” Devaguptapu said. “And there’s no skeletons in his closet.”

Recent campaign messaging has leaned heavily into that image, with social media posts showing Mahan spending time with his family at a San Jose farmer’s market and highlighting how he and his wife, Sylvia — the CEO of Cristo Rey San José, a Jesuit school — balance family life with the demands of the campaign.

“The ad we just launched is nothing but relatability,” Devaguptapu said. “He’s a down-to-earth and really warm guy, and the more voters see that, they’ll gravitate toward him.”

Swalwell has denied the criminal allegations against him, but his exit after leading Democratic candidates has left endorsements, donors and staff up for grabs.

Becerra and Mahan are both seeking to gain traction after months of lagging behind better-funded or higher-profile rivals such as progressive billionaire Tom Steyer and lefty former congresswoman Katie Porter.

Now, with the most problematic candidate out of the race, campaigns are betting on a reset. Let’s just hope no one starts making ads about dad bods.

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