US Representative Eric Swalwell announced his candidacy for governor of California on Jimmy Kimmel Live. He declared his intention to run for the state's top office, stating California needs a fighter who will lower prices and raise wages.
Swalwell, a seven-term Democratic congressman, has gained notoriety for his strong opposition to former President Donald Trump. Swalwell's entry into the race comes as Governor Gavin Newsom nears the end of his term limits and the field of candidates is already crowded.
He joins other prominent Democrats such as billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former State Controller Betty Yee. Republicans in the running include Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former David Cameron advisor Steve Hilton.
The congressman, a former Alameda County prosecutor, has built a significant part of his political profile on his confrontations with Donald Trump. He briefly ran for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination and served as a House impeachment manager during Trump's second impeachment trial.
Swalwell also has extensive experience on Capitol Hill, having served on the House Intelligence Committee, focusing on national security and election interference. Current polling indicates a lack of a clear frontrunner in the gubernatorial race, with several potential candidates declining to run.
While former Representative Katie Porter initially led in early surveys, concerns about her temperament have reportedly impacted her standing. Swalwell aims to leverage his anti-Trump stance and his reputation for direct communication to appeal to Democratic voters.
Swalwell intends to make affordability and confronting Trump's influence the central themes of his campaign. He emphasized his commitment to fighting for Californians, drawing on his experience in local government and his national battles.
The announcement's venue, Jimmy Kimmel's show, was chosen to highlight his readiness to challenge Trump, given the show's past controversies with the former president. During his announcement, Swalwell addressed recent allegations of mortgage and tax fraud, calling them "nonsense" and asserting that Democrats will not be intimidated by such tactics.
He also touched on past scrutiny regarding an alleged relationship with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative, noting that the House ethics committee closed its inquiry without findings of wrongdoing.
