Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is considering leaving Congress and getting into California‘s crowded governor’s race, sources familiar with his plans told the Washington Examiner on Friday.
Talk of a possible run follows allegations that Swalwell, a seven-term House member and one of President Donald Trump‘s most vocal critics, committed mortgage and tax fraud. He has denied those claims, calling them baseless and accusing the Trump administration of targeting him. Swalwell was a manager during Trump’s second impeachment trial in 2021. Similar allegations have been leveled against the president’s other perceived enemies.
News about Swalwell, 44, possibly entering the governor’s race comes days after Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) announced he would not seek the post. Former Vice President Kamala Harris had also signaled she was interested in taking over Gov. Gavin Newsom‘s (D-CA) office when he is termed out in 2026, but ultimately decided against it.
Former Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) is considered a Democratic contender, but her popularity has taken a hit after she made national headlines for nearly storming out of a CBS interview, and old footage of her berating a staffer resurfaced.
So far, there are 12 declared Democratic candidates and 11 declared Republican candidates.
“I think he has a shot,” Lincoln Mitchell, a lecturer in the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University who has written extensively on California politics, told the Washington Examiner of Swalwell’s chances. “There is no clear front-runner, and he’s a skilled politician.”
California’s gubernatorial primary isn’t until June 2, which gives hopefuls eight months to lay out policy agendas and appeal to voter concerns. The top two winners, regardless of party, will move on to the general election in November.
Jeff Le, managing principal at 100 Mile Strategies, told the Washington Examiner he’s heard Swalwell has been “testing his name in polling and surveys” and said the real indicator will be what the next major poll shows.
Democratic strategist Kaivan Shroff said that Swalwell has “played the new media game well” and thinks “his entrance into the race would be an early test of the influence of the media ecosystem the left has been building.”
“He is a frequent guest on Meidas Touch, for example — but does that give him resonance beyond the very online Dem echo chamber?” he said to the Washington Examiner. “Certainly it will help with fundraising — but he hasn’t demonstrated too much range beyond that in the ways folks like [Rep.] Ro Khanna (D-CA) and others who ‘go everywhere’ in terms of media have. He would also have to have seriously improved his debate and campaigning chops from his presidential bid, which was surprisingly underwhelming.”
Former Fox News host Steve Hilton, a Republican candidate for governor, told the Washington Examiner that Swalwell’s possible entry into the race doesn’t really change the dynamics.
“I’m excited to welcome Eric Swalwell to the governor’s race,” he said. “I’m sure he’ll bring plenty of energy, but as the latest poll shows, Californians are desperate for change after 15 years of corrupt Democratic one-party rule that’s left the state dead last in affordability and opportunity. I’m leading the field because I’m offering a strong, positive alternative for working-class Californians: $3 gas, a home you can actually afford, and your first $100,000 free of state income tax.”
ERIC SWALWELL BLASTS BILL PULTE DOJ REFERRAL OVER ALLEGED MORTGAGE FRAUD
Swalwell, one of the most outspoken House Democrats, was raised by Republicans. Born in Sac City, Iowa, Swalwell grew up in California as the eldest of four boys. A Division 1 soccer scholarship allowed him to become the first in his family to go to college. At the University of Maryland, he was an intern on Capitol Hill for the late Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA). After graduating from law school, Swalwell went to work as a prosecutor in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, where he led the hate crimes unit.
In Congress, Swalwell served eight years on the House Intelligence Committee, where he was the chairman and ranking member, overseeing the CIA. He helped lead the House Investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 election and both impeachments of Trump.
Calls to Swalwell’s office for confirmation by the Washington Examiner were not returned.