Rep. Eric Swalwell has never done anything quietly, and the launch of his 2026 California governor campaign proved no exception. The 45-year-old Democratic congressman — a cable-news regular, impeachment manager, and longtime thorn in President Donald Trump’s side — chose the bright lights of Jimmy Kimmel Live! to declare his run for the state’s highest office. With a grin, a jab at Trump, and a plea for “a protector and fighter” to lead California, Swalwell transformed a late-night comedy show into a political stage.

The announcement immediately rocketed the East Bay representative into one of the most competitive and unpredictable gubernatorial fields in recent California history. Rivals include seasoned statewide officials, national figures, billionaires, and veteran lawmakers — all vying to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited and eyeing a national future. But it is Swalwell’s unusual combination of prosecutorial roots, national notoriety, and personal resilience that may make him the most intriguing candidate in the race.

For the congressman, this campaign isn’t just a new chapter — it’s an inflection point in a career defined by intense political drama, relentless media engagement, and a decade-long feud with Trump that shows no signs of cooling.

From Prosecutor to Congress: The Rise of an Underdog

Swalwell’s story begins in Northern California. Born in Sacramento in 1980 and raised partly in the region, he later attended the University of Maryland before returning to the Bay Area to launch his legal career. By 2006, he was working as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, focusing on domestic-violence cases, DUI prosecutions, and community safety.

His political breakthrough came faster than expected.

In 2012, Swalwell stunned the California political establishment by defeating 40-year Democratic incumbent Pete Stark in a primary — a seismic upset that sent a message across the state’s political class: the East Bay had chosen new blood over entrenched power. His campaign emphasized modernity, energy, and accessibility, themes that would become hallmarks of his congressional identity.

Since arriving in Congress in 2013, Swalwell has served on several high-profile committees, including:

House Intelligence Committee (2015–2023)

House Judiciary Committee (2023–present)

Homeland Security Committee

His focus areas include:

gun violence prevention

national security

tech policy

maintaining democratic norms

economic opportunity for working families

Swalwell also co-founded the Problem Solvers Caucus, a bipartisan group focused on pragmatic governance — though his national reputation soon came to be shaped more by confrontation than compromise.

Becoming a National Figure: The Trump Years

If there is one thing that catapulted Swalwell from regional representative to national headline-maker, it was his willingness — even eagerness — to confront Donald Trump directly.

During Trump’s presidency, Swalwell became one of his most prolific critics. He played a visible role in the Russia-related investigations, frequently appeared on TV to dissect developments, and became a go-to Democratic voice in the national security debate.

In 2021, Swalwell served as one of the House impeachment managers for Trump’s second Senate trial, delivering arguments linking Trump’s rhetoric to the January 6 attack. That same year, he filed a civil lawsuit accusing Trump and several associates of responsibility for the violence.

The conflict quickly took on a personal tone. Trump repeatedly mocked Swalwell at rallies, in interviews, and online. The congressman’s name became a fixture in conservative media segments, cable hits, and partisan fundraising emails.

To Swalwell, this feud became part of his political brand — and in 2025, part of his justification for running for governor.

“California needs a protector,” he told Kimmel. “Our state deserves someone willing to stand up to federal overreach.”

It was both a campaign message and a continuation of a battle he has been waging for nearly a decade.

Controversies That Follow Him Into the Race

Though Swalwell denies wrongdoing in all instances, his public record includes several documented controversies that his opponents are certain to highlight.

1. The Christine Fang Episode (2011–2015)

In 2020, Axios reported that Swalwell had interacted years earlier with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative who had worked with multiple Bay Area officials. According to the FBI, the congressman cut off contact when warned in 2015, and no evidence ever showed wrongdoing on his part.

Even so, House Republicans later cited the episode as grounds to remove him from the House Intelligence Committee in 2023 — a move that became a symbolic victory for conservative critics.

Swalwell called the incident a “smear,” noting that he acted exactly as U.S. intelligence agencies advised.

2. Removal From the Intelligence Committee

Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s 2023 decision to block Swalwell and Rep. Adam Schiff from the Intelligence Committee sparked national debate. Swalwell argued it was revenge for his impeachment role and for holding Trump accountable.

The episode underscored the polarizing nature of his public persona.

3. The 2025 DOJ Referral Over Mortgage and Tax Questions

In November 2025, Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte referred Swalwell to the Justice Department, alleging irregularities involving his 2016 mortgage filing on a Washington, D.C., condo.

Swalwell insisted the allegations were fabricated retaliation for his criticisms of Trump and have “no legal basis.”

No charges have been filed.

4. The January 6 Civil Lawsuit

Swalwell’s decision to sue Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Rudy Giuliani, and Rep. Mo Brooks made him one of the first lawmakers to use civil courts to challenge the aftermath of the Capitol attack.

The lawsuit has moved slowly through federal courts, attracting national scrutiny and occasional blowback.

These controversies — public, documented, and politically charged — form the backdrop to his governor campaign.

A Crowded Race With No Clear Favorite

The 2026 governor’s contest is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable in years. Swalwell joins a roster that includes:

Katie Porter, known for aggressive congressional hearings

Xavier Becerra, former California attorney general and HHS secretary

Antonio Villaraigosa, former Los Angeles mayor

Betty Yee, former state controller

Tom Steyer, billionaire climate activist

Tony Thurmond, state schools chief

Stephen Cloobeck, entrepreneur

Republican contenders include Steve Hilton, Rick Caruso (considering), and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco.

Analysts widely agree that the Democratic primary will determine the next governor, given California’s political landscape.

But there is no frontrunner — and that gives Swalwell an opening.

The Case He Wants to Make

Speaking with Kimmel, Swalwell listed several issues he intends to champion:

Housing & Affordability

He argues that California’s high cost of living is driving families away, and he promises to streamline development, strengthen tenant protections, and increase housing supply.

Economic Opportunity

Swalwell wants to expand job training, support small businesses, and harness the state’s tech sector to create middle-class pathways.

Immigration & Federal-State Tension

He says California must remain a counterweight to federal policies that “target immigrants, weaken civil liberties, and cut community funding.”

Gun Violence Prevention

A longtime advocate for background checks and restrictions on military-style weapons, his platform will include statewide safety expansions.

Defense of Democratic Institutions

His message is simple: California must stand firm against what he calls the corrosion of democratic norms.

A Campaign Built on Combat — and a State Ready for a Fight

Swalwell’s pitch leans heavily on his reputation as a fighter — someone who takes heat without shrinking from it. His supporters call this resilience; his opponents call it theatrics.

He has survived controversies, weathered national attacks, and built a recognizable brand. But he has also developed critics who argue he seeks attention more than solutions.

California’s future — shaped by climate urgency, housing crises, economic inequality, and rising political polarization — may require both toughness and persuasion.

The congressman now has to prove he can provide both.

What Comes Next

Swalwell’s launch immediately triggered speculation about successors to his House seat, fundraising races, endorsements, and the political coalitions he can assemble. His Bay Area base offers strength, but statewide politics require broader alliances.

For now, his message is defiant:

“I’m running for governor for the right reasons,” he told Kimmel. “To protect California families and defend what makes this state great.”

He may still be refining the details of his platform. But one thing is clear: in a race full of high-profile figures, Eric Swalwell just ensured that he will be one of the candidates everyone watches.