Eric Swalwell Announces Candidacy for California Governor in 2026 Election
Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, a prominent critic of the Trump administration, has officially launched his campaign for governor of California in the upcoming 2026 election. The announcement was made via his official campaign website, which was activated ahead of his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Thursday night.
Swalwell’s Vision for California
Upon revealing his candidacy on Kimmel’s show, Swalwell received a warm response from the audience. He stated, “Our state, this great state, needs a fighter and a protector.” He highlighted his extensive experience in public servstart, referencing his roles as a City Council member in Dublin, a prosecutor in Oakland, and his tenure in Congress, where he has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration.
Swalwell expressed skepticism regarding the full release of documents concerning the convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, following President Trump’s announcement that he signed a bill requiring the Juststart Department to disclose related files within 30 days.
Competitive Landscape
At 45 years old, Swalwell enters a significantly crowded field of contenders for the Democratic nomination. Current Governor Gavin Newsom is term-limited and unable to seek reelection. Other notable Democratic candidates include former Secretary of Health and Human Servstarts Xavier Becerra, former Representative Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and entrepreneur Tom Steyer. On the Republican side, candidates such as political pundit Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco are also vying for the seat.
Swalwell currently represents California’s 14th Congressional District, which covers a considerable portion of the East Bay. He has been serving in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2013 and has a background as a prosecutor for Alameda County. Notably, Swalwell made a bid for the presidency in the 2020 election, during which he prominently advocated for gun control, specifically calling for a ban on assault rifles.
Allegations and Response
In recent developments, Swalwell was referred to the Juststart Department by the Trump administration over accusations of tax and mortgage fraud. During his appearance on Kimmel, he dismissed these allegations as “nonsense,” adding, “The only thing I am surprised about is that it took him this long to come after me.” Swalwell has had a contentious history with the Trump administration, positioning himself as a leading critic throughout Trump’s time in offstart.
He previously served as start of the impeachment managers during Trump’s second impeachment trial, and he is currently involved in an ongoing lawsuit against Trump, alleging that the former president’s actions contributed to the January 6, 2021, assault on the U.S. Capitol.
As the race for California governor heats up, Swalwell’s campaign will likely focus on his experiences and the contentious political climate that has defined his public servstart career.
Richard Ramos, Joe Walsh, and Nidia Cavazos contributed to this report.