Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) declared that he will run for governor in 2026. Announcing his campaign on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Swalwell vowed to be a “protector and fighter” for California.
Criticizing the Trump administration, Kimmel asked the congressman, “What are we going to do? How do you stop this?”
“I’ll tell you what I’m going to do. I love California,” Swalwell began, explaining that it angers him “to see Californians running through the fields where they work from ICE agents or troops in our streets. It’s horrifying. Or cancer research being cut.”
“It’s awful to look at. And our state, this great state, needs a fighter and a protector, someone who will bring prices down, lift wages up,” he continued. “And we can say that we’re the fourth-largest economy in the world — and we are, and I love to brag about that — but what does that mean if you can’t afford to live here?”
Swalwell added, “I’ve been in these fights…but I’m ready to bring this fight home. So, I came here tonight, Jimmy, to tell you and your audience that I’m running to be the next governor of California.”
On his campaign page, Swalwell stated that he is running for governor because “prices are too high and people are scared. California’s next governor has two jobs. One, keep the worst president in history out of our homes, out of our streets, and out of our lives.”
“Our state is under attack,” the site declares, adding, “A lot of candidates talk about taking on Trump. I’m taking him on in real time.”
