Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell has officially declared his candidacy for governor of California, entering an increasingly crowded field vying to succeed Gavin Newsom as the state's chief executive.
From Congress to Governor's Race
The seven-term US representative announced his political ambitions on Thursday night, bringing his profile as a persistent opponent of former President Donald Trump to the California political landscape. Swalwell, 45, previously served as a House impeachment manager during Trump's second impeachment trial, which focused on the former president's role in the 6 January 2021 attack on the US Capitol.
His announcement comes shortly after billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer joined the race to replace Newsom, who is approaching the end of his term limit. The contest currently lacks a clear frontrunner after both former vice-president Kamala Harris and California senator Alex Padilla declined to run.
A Political Profile Built on Trump Opposition
Swalwell rose to national prominence through his frequent clashes with Donald Trump, a reputation that could strengthen his appeal among Democratic voters in California. The former Alameda county prosecutor briefly sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination before returning his focus to congressional duties.
During his eight years on the House intelligence committee, including service on the CIA subcommittee, Swalwell established himself as a key Democratic voice on national security and election interference matters. He also co-founded the Future Forum caucus, an initiative aimed at representing younger voters in Congress.
With an active social media presence and preference for direct language, Swalwell plans to leverage his anti-Trump credentials in his bid to lead the nation's most populous Democratic stronghold.
Challenges and Competition in California Politics
The Democratic field includes several prominent figures, with former representative Katie Porter leading early surveys despite concerns about her temperament following incidents where she threatened to walk out of a television interview and was recorded berating a staff member. Porter has since apologised for her behaviour.
Other Democratic contenders include former Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former state attorney general and US representative Xavier Becerra, and former state controller Betty Yee. On the Republican side, the most notable candidates are Riverside county sheriff Chad Bianco and former David Cameron adviser Steve Hilton.
The next governor of California will inherit significant structural challenges, including uncertain water supplies, persistent educational gaps, severe housing shortages, and widespread homelessness. The state continues to grapple with unemployment and poverty rates, rising living costs, and recurring budget deficits.
Meanwhile, Swalwell faces his own political challenges. Earlier this month, a Trump administration housing official referred him to the justice department for potential investigation regarding mortgage and tax fraud allegations, which the representative has denied. He also faced scrutiny over an alleged relationship with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative a decade ago, though the House ethics committee closed its inquiry without findings of wrongdoing.
As the field potentially expands further—with developer Rick Caruso reportedly considering a run—California Democrats appear to be seeking leaders willing to counter Trump's agenda, a demand that has intensified since his return to political prominence.
