Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has entered the wide-open race for governor of California, positioning himself as a challenger to President Donald Trump. “California needs a fighter and protector. I’m running for Governor,” Swalwell wrote on X, emphasizing his campaign focus on preventing what he described as the “worst president in our history” from influencing the state.
The California Democrat highlighted his campaign announcement video, where he framed his bid as a direct opposition to Trump’s policies. “The next governor of California has two jobs. One, keep the worst president in our history out of our homes, out of our streets, and out of our lives,” Swalwell said.
Swalwell, who has served in Congress since 2013, will face a list of high-profile Democrats including former Rep. Katie Porter, former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and activist billionaire Tom Steyer, who entered the race to lead the deep-blue state Wednesday.
On ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Swalwell announced his gubernatorial run, focusing on the need to address high costs and affordability as reasons for running statewide. “California is the greatest country in the world,” he said, adding that he was “ready to bring this fight home.”
The contest lacks a clear frontrunner after former vice-president Kamala Harris and California senator Alex Padilla declined to run. While former representative Katie Porter led early surveys, she has faced scrutiny over her temperament after threatening to walk out of a local television interview and footage surfaced of her berating a staff member. Porter has since apologized for her behavior but reports suggest Democratic strategists are searching for an alternative.
