Rep. Eric Swalwell Launches Campaign for California Governor

Fri Nov 21 2025 15:47:11 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Eric Swalwell, a Democratic congressman and key player in the impeachment trial of Donald Trump, officially declares his candidacy for California governor on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' addressing economic concerns and Trump's policies.

Rep. Eric Swalwell has declared his candidacy for California governor during an appearance on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'. He emphasizes the need for a proactive leader to address economic challenges and criticizes Trump's legacy regarding state issues. Swalwell joins a crowded field of Democratic candidates in the race.

Rep. Eric Swalwell, a well-known Democrat who played a significant role as a House manager during President Donald Trump's impeachment trial in 2021, has officially entered the race for California governor. He made his announcement on ABC's popular late-night show, 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', emphasizing his commitment to improving the lives of Californians.

During his appearance, Swalwell stated, 'Our state, this great state, needs a fighter and a protector,' highlighting his platform to lower prices and increase wages. His campaign message appears to resonate with many Californians who are currently facing economic struggles.

Swalwell also reflected on his contentious relationship with Trump, asserting, 'Our state is under attack.' He criticized Trump for policies that he claims have harmed California, including cuts to cancer research and climate change initiatives, and aggressively targeting immigrant communities.

The announcement came in the wake of Trump's recent criticisms of ABC and Kimmel. Trump voiced his discontent on social media, calling for Kimmel's removal from the air, which added a layer of drama to Swalwell's campaign kickoff.

Swalwell has represented a northern California district since 2012 and previously ran in the Democratic presidential primaries in 2020, where he subsequently endorsed Joe Biden after exiting the race.

He now joins several other high-profile Democrats vying for the governor's seat, following Gavin Newsom's decision not to seek re-election due to term limits. Other candidates include billionaire Tom Steyer, Rep. Katie Porter, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former Health Secretary Xavier Becerra.