Who is Eric Swalwell? Democrat from East Bay joins California governor’s race

US Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat and one of President Donald Trump’s most vocal critics, formally launched his campaign for California governor on Thursday. The 45-year-old East Bay congressman made the announcement during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s show, outlining a platform centred on high living costs, public safety, housing and economic growth, while underscoring his long-standing opposition to the US President.

Swalwell, who represents parts of Alameda and Contra Costa counties, began his political career as a Dublin city councilmember before defeating a 40-year incumbent to enter Congress in 2012. A former prosecutor and son of a law enforcement family, he has built a national profile over six House terms, driven in part by his criticism of Trump.


On his campaign website, the congressman said he is running to tackle affordability, safety and economic challenges in the state. “I’m running for governor because prices are too high and people are scared,” he said, adding that his priorities would include homes, jobs and modernizing the state. The Democrat lawmaker vowed to be a “protector and fighter” if elected Governor.

According to The New York Times, Swalwell has been a prominent figure in both impeachment efforts against Trump. He served as an impeachment manager in the former president’s second impeachment following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and participated in the first impeachment inquiry in 2019. As CNN reported, he also filed federal lawsuits against Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani and Republican Representative Mo Brooks, seeking to hold them accountable for allegedly inciting the Capitol riot.

Swalwell has frequently appeared on cable news and engaged actively on social media, using both platforms to maintain a national presence and voice his opposition to the Trump administration. Analysts told Mercury News that anti-Trump sentiment remains a unifying theme among California Democrats, and UC Berkeley professor Dan Schnur suggested his messaging could resonate with the state’s voters.

The 2026 gubernatorial race will see Swalwell competing to succeed term-limited Governor Gavin Newsom. The Democratic field already includes former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former Congresswoman Katie Porter and billionaire activist Tom Steyer. Republican candidates include former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

Political observers expect the 2026 contest to be among California’s most competitive in recent years, with at least 10 candidates already declared. Analysts note that with a crowded field, gaining early visibility and executing a strong launch could be crucial to building momentum, Mercury News reported.