Gomez Faces Challenger Amid Ethics Review
Rep. Jimmy Gomez is running for reelection as the House ethics committee reviews allegations of sexual misconduct against him.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Political Parties
Rep. Jimmy Gomez, who topped the primary with 46% of the vote, faces Democratic Socialist challenger Angela Gonzales-Torres in the 34th Congressional District, which took second place with 30.7%. The House ethics committee announced August 17 it is reviewing allegations that Gomez engaged in sexual misconduct.
Why it matters
The ethics review places Gomez's reelection bid under scrutiny in a district stretching from Koreatown to East Los Angeles. Gonzales-Torres says she is running because federal government and Congress would be weaponized against immigrant families, working-class individuals, and women.
Gomez took 46% of the primary vote to Gonzales-Torres's 30.7%, and Ballotpedia rated the race one of 50 battleground contests on August 28. The ethics committee has not reached any conclusion on the allegations, and Gomez maintains his actions were consensual and lawful.
The players
Jimmy Gomez
Democratic U.S. Representative for California's 34th Congressional District, who is seeking reelection while under House ethics review.
Angela Gonzales-Torres
Democratic Socialist candidate challenging Gomez, who argues federal policy threatens immigrant families, working-class individuals, and women.
House Ethics Committee
The bipartisan House committee responsible for investigating member conduct, which announced its review of the allegations against Gomez.
The details
The New York Post reported in April that Gomez was seen kissing a much younger congressional aide in summer 2023 at a party hosted by then-Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned from Congress that month after multiple women accused him of sexual assault. Gomez, a former co-chair of Swalwell's campaign, said August 17 he made personal mistakes outside his marriage.
Timeline
Summer 2023: Gomez reportedly kissed a much younger congressional aide at a party.
April 2026: The New York Post reported the kiss, and Swalwell resigned from Congress.
August 17, 2026: The ethics committee announced its review and Gomez issued a statement.
August 28, 2026: Ballotpedia designated the race a battleground.
Tuesday, November 3, 2026: The general election in the 34th District takes place.
Political Context
Gomez's case follows Rep. Eric Swalwell's April 2026 resignation from Congress after multiple women accused him of sexual assault, a scandal that also involved the party where Gomez was reportedly seen kissing a congressional aide. Gonzales-Torres's campaign counters that the broader federal government is a threat to immigrant families, working-class individuals, and women.
Los Angeles voters in the 34th District will decide between Gomez and Gonzales-Torres on November 3, 2026. The outcome will determine who represents neighborhoods from Koreatown to Eagle Rock in Congress while the ethics review remains open.
The takeaway
Voters weighing this race should track the ethics committee's review, since its findings could reshape the contest before November. Comparing each candidate's positions directly will help clarify what the election means for the district.
What happens next
The general election in the 34th Congressional District takes place Tuesday, November 3, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Political Parties to see how party dynamics shape races like this one.
Source note: This article includes information reported by My News LA.
