From the Daily Caller: California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell launched his governor bid Thursday night on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, portraying himself as the Golden State’s “protector” against President Donald Trump.
Swalwell’s leap into the crowded race for California’s governor’s mansion comes shortly after Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) Director Bill Pulte handed the Department of Justice (DOJ) a criminal referral alleging Swalwell engaged in mortgage and tax fraud. The Democrat and former prosecutor has represented a portion of the Golden State’s Bay Area in Congress since 2013, and has established himself as a prominent foe of the president.
“Our state, this great state, needs a fighter and a protector. Someone who will bring prices down, lift wages up,” Swalwell said in the interview with host Jimmy Kimmel. “I’ve been in fights as a city council member in Dublin, my hometown, as a prosecutor in Oakland, and taking on the most corrupt president ever in the U.S. Congress. But I’m ready to bring this fight home.”
Swalwell’s desire to run for higher office in 2026 was first reported by MSNBC. Prior to announcing his entrance into the race, a fundraising page for the congressman’s gubernatorial campaign was posted to the Democratic fundraising platform ActBlue before being taken down Sunday, Politico reported Monday.
According to the report, Swalwell’s allies have encouraged him to run on a more moderate platform than his now-rival, former Democratic California Rep. Katie Porter.
Swalwell was just hit with a federal criminal referral for mortgage fraud on November 13. He is accused of claiming his second home in Washington, D.C. as his primary residence, which allegedly allowed him to get better loan rates.
Swalwell also made headlines in 2020 when the news broke about his relationship with a woman who turned out to be a Chinese spy.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump had called for Jimmy Kimmel to be taken off the air.
On Thursday, ahead of announcing his run for governor on Kimmel’s show, Swalwell taunted, “He’s going to hate tonight’s episode.”
He’s going to hate tonight’s episode pic.twitter.com/8jiAWLXbVf
— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@RepSwalwell) November 20, 2025
Swalwell posted his first campaign ad Thursday night, and, ironically, it’s all about President Trump.
“The next governor of California has two jobs… one, keep the worst president in our history out of our homes, out of our streets and out of our lives… no one will keep Californians safer than I will,” he declared, as he touted the role he previously held in the impeachment of Trump during his first term in office.
He listed the second “job”for governor as a mission to “bring us a new California.”
California needs a fighter and protector. I’m running for Governor. pic.twitter.com/foJ6PX58bq
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) November 21, 2025
Others already in the race to replace Newsom as governor include:
- Former Rep. Katie Porter – Democrat
- Former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra – Democrat
- Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa – Democrat
- Billionaire Tom Steyer – Democrat
- Diamond Resorts founder Stephen Cloobeck – Democrat
- Former longtime state legislator Toni Atkins – Democrat
- Former State Controller Betty Yee – Democrat
- Former Fox News host Steve Hilton – Republican
- Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco – Republican
Steyer just threw his hat in the ring for governor of California on Wednesday.
READ MORE from the Daily Caller.
BREAKING: Liberal billionaire joins California governor’s race
BREAKING: Rep. Eric Swalwell hit with a federal criminal probe referral
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