Gomez, 51, won a 2017 congressional special election to replace Becerra, who resigned after then-Gov. Jerry Brown nominated him for state attorney general.
On August 17, the House Ethics Committee announced that it was investigating Gomez’s “inappropriate sexual contact with House staff.”
Two days later, attorneys Lisa J. Banks and Sarah E. Nesbitt said in a statement that they represented one of the women interviewed by the committee. The woman has accused Gomez of sexual harassment and assault, the lawyer said, declining further comment.
Gomez acknowledged in a statement earlier this year that he made “personal mistakes outside of his marriage” but said his “conduct was consensual in nature and did not violate the law or House ethics rules.”
He declined interview requests and kept a low profile during his re-election campaign. He successfully fended off challenges from progressive Democrat David Kim in 2020, 2022 and 2024. King has endorsed Gonzalez-Torres.
Since Trump’s immigration crackdown, Gomez has focused on the treatment of immigrants and congressional oversight of federal detention centers. He and 12 other House members successfully sued the Trump administration after he was blocked from detention facilities and said he trained legal observers to document ICE abuses.
His campaign touts his record as chairman of the affordability-focused Congressional Renters Caucus and his support for proposed legislation aimed at lowering housing costs, expanding supply and strengthening pathways to ownership.
He also supports two signature progressive initiatives: the Green New Deal and Medicare for All.
Gonzalez-Torres, 31, previously worked as a part-time counselor for formerly incarcerated students at Pasadena City College, interned in Mayor Karen Bass’ administration and volunteered on Metro’s Public Safety Advisory Committee.
She has the support of the Los Angeles chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, as well as Justice Democrats, the influential left-wing political action committee known for helping Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) win her first election in 2018.
If elected, Gonzalez-Torres would focus on abolishing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and seek a federal wealth tax on the ultra-rich.
She called for a moratorium on new data center construction until federal standards are in place and wants to end federal fossil fuel subsidies.
Gonzalez-Torres has not held elected office again after serving two years on the Historic Highland Park Neighborhood Commission from 2023-25, one of which she served as chair.
Several board members criticized her tenure. One of them, Caroline Aguirre, filed a report with police saying Gonzalez-Torres poked her in the face with his finger during a meeting. Aguirre shared a report of the incident with The Times but said police ultimately took no action.
Current board president Darren Gold said Gonzalez-Torres falsely accused him of shaking her, sparking the city’s investigation. Gold denied the interaction, accused Gonzalez-Torres of lying, and won reinstatement.
Both Gold and fellow board member Jens Jonathan described Gonzalez-Torres’ leadership as chaotic, adding that she used the position to express her personal views on non-neighborhood issues such as gentrification and Gaza.
“She was unable to effectively translate priorities into results, resolve disagreements and continue working when things were not going well,” Jonathan said.
Gonzalez-Torres declined to comment on the incidents alleged by Aguirre and Gold. She said she’s proud of her work connecting businesses with city services, among other accomplishments.
She said she was resigning as president to volunteer for Kim Jong Un’s 2024 campaign.
money from outside
The American Israel Public Affairs Committee has repeatedly endorsed Gomez’s re-election campaign, including this one, drawing criticism from Justice Democrats and Gonzalez-Torres.
Gomez’s campaign noted his calls for the resignation of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his push for humanitarian aid and a ceasefire in Gaza.
In July, Gomez voted against an amendment that would have cut off aid to Israel, even though many other Democrats supported the initiative.
Gomez told POLITICO that the amendment is “overbroad and will also limit programs that promote humanitarian assistance to Palestinians and refugee resettlement, peacebuilding efforts, and our ability to confront terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.”
“This would give the Trump administration the power to decide which programs are funded and which are not,” he said.
Artificial intelligence is also an issue in the campaign, although both candidates support regulation.
Guardrail Alliance, a political action committee seeking tighter regulation of the tech industry, endorsed Gonzalez-Torres.
Leading the Future, a PAC affiliated with the artificial intelligence industry, supports Gomez but has not yet announced its campaign spending.