Swalwell testing waters for California gubernatorial bid
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.
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