East Bay Congressman Eric Swalwell Entersโ California Governor’s Race
SACRAMENTO, CA – November 21,โ 2025 – Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat representing California’s โ22nd congressional district, โฃannounced his candidacy โfor Governor of โCalifornia today, injecting aโค new dynamic into the unfoldingโฃ 2026 gubernatorial election. Swalwell’s entry positions him as a prominent challengerโค to potential contenders, โขsetting the stage for a competitive primary and โฃgeneral election battleโ for the state’s highest office.
The decision by Swalwell, 45, to seek the governorship comes as โcurrent Governor Gavin Newsomโฃ approaches the end of his second term and is โineligible toโข run again. This opens โฃa significant chance forโ aspiring โCalifornia Democrats, and Swalwell’s campaign is expected to focus on issues of economic opportunity, climate change, and โคpublic โคsafety – themesโ he has consistently championedโ during his timeโข in Congress. His โฃentrance immediately reshapes the politicalโฃ landscape, โoffering votersโค a clearโฃ option with aโค track record in federal policy and a strong base โฃin theโ politically active East Bayโข region.
Swalwell wasโค first electedโ to Congress in 2012, representing aโค district encompassing parts of alameda andโฃ Contra Costa counties, including โcities like Hayward, Fremont, and Pleasanton. He โคquickly gained national attention for his outspoken criticism of former โPresident Donald Trump andโข his prominent role on theโ House โIntelligence Committee. During his tenure, swalwell โฃhas advocated for stricter gun control measures,โ affordableโค healthcare, and investments in renewable energy.โ
Prior to his โcongressionalโข service, โฃSwalwellโ served asโฃ a Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County. He received his bachelor’s degree โขfrom the University of Maryland and his law degree from the University โof California, Berkeley. โ He currently resides inโ Dublin, California, with his wife and children.
Swalwell’s campaign is expected toโ highlightโค his experience navigating complex policy challengesโ in Washington D.C. โขand his commitment to addressing the pressing issues facing Californiaโค residents. The coming months will be crucialโค as he โbuilds support, raisesโ funds, and articulates a vision for the state’s future.The primary election is scheduled โfor June 2026, with the general electionโ to follow in November.