Rep. Eric Swalwell Enters 2026 California Gubernatorial Race, Citing Need to Counter President Trump Policies
Swalwell, 45, made the declaration during an appearance on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," followed by a one-minute campaign video on his website, ericswalwell.com.
U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, a seven-term Democrat from California's 14th Congressional District in the East Bay, announced his candidacy for governor on November 21, 2025, positioning himself as a defender against federal policies under President Trump while addressing state affordability challenges.
Swalwell, 45, made the declaration during an appearance on ABC's "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," followed by a one-minute campaign video on his website, ericswalwell.com. In the video and subsequent interviews, he emphasized California's status as the world's fourth-largest economy means little if residents cannot afford housing and essentials. "Our state needs a fighter and protector," Swalwell stated. "Someone who will bring prices down, lift wages up." He pledged to apply lessons from his tenure as a Dublin city councilmember, where he helped transform the community from low-income status to one of the state's most prosperous, to statewide governance.
Swalwell's congressional career, which began in 2012 after serving as an Alameda County prosecutor, includes high-profile national roles. He ran briefly for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, focusing on gun violence reduction, before withdrawing and endorsing Joe Biden. Swalwell served as a House impeachment manager in President Trump's 2021 trial following the January 6 Capitol attack and has frequently criticized the administration on cable news and social media. His campaign launch highlighted perceived threats from the Trump administration, including potential immigration raids, cuts to cancer research funding, and elimination of clean energy projects.
The bid comes amid a crowded primary for the June 2026 election, where the top two vote-getters advance to November regardless of party, to succeed term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom. Democratic contenders include former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, billionaire Tom Steyer, State Superintendent Tony Thurmond, and former State Controller Betty Yee. Republicans in the field are Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News contributor Steve Hilton. A November 2025 UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll showed 44% of voters undecided, with Swalwell polling at 11% in a survey conducted for his supporters.
Swalwell's entry follows Democratic donor Stephen Cloobeck's withdrawal on November 25, 2025, with an endorsement of the congressman, citing alignment on affordability and public safety. The race is projected to exceed $350 million in spending, surpassing Newsom's 2018 contest, driven by California's large media markets and national donor interest. Swalwell, known as a prolific fundraiser from his national profile, has not disclosed initial totals.
Swalwell's record includes past scrutiny. In 2020, Axios reported that suspected Chinese intelligence operative Christine Fang cultivated ties with him during his early political career as a Dublin councilmember, though federal investigations found no evidence of wrongdoing by Swalwell. More recently, in November 2025, the Justice Department initiated a probe into allegations of mortgage fraud involving Swalwell, which he described as politically motivated targeting by the Trump administration. Swalwell maintains his innocence and views the inquiry as retaliation for his opposition to President Trump.
As the campaign unfolds, Swalwell's national recognition as a Trump critic may energize Democratic base voters but faces tests in demonstrating state-level policy expertise against more seasoned Sacramento insiders. His updated X bio now reads: "Dad to Nelson, Cricket & Hank | Husband | California needs a fighter and protector. I’m running for Governor."
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