California Governor Race Sees Swalwell Emerge as Target Amid GOP Threat
In the crowded contest to replace outgoing Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, a breakaway leader has finally emerged by one key measure. Eric Swalwell, the Democratic U.S. House member, has become the favourite target of his rivals, signalling his perceived momentum in a race overshadowed by international conflicts, Washington turmoil, and soaring fuel prices.
Swalwell's competitors have launched a barrage of negative publicity, accusing him of holding a no-show job in Congress, questioning his California residency, and labelling him a sympathiser with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The agency's immigration raids in Los Angeles sparked violent protests, making this a particularly charged allegation.
"Whoever's head starts to stick up higher than the rest, the other candidates pick up their mallets and start to knock them back down," observed Democratic consultant Roger Salazar, who is not involved in the campaign.
Residency Questions Shake Up Campaign
Swalwell, originally from Iowa and elected in 2012, represents a House district east of San Francisco. His 2019 presidential bid fizzled quickly, but he gained national prominence as a House manager in President Donald Trump's second impeachment trial in early 2021.
Billionaire hedge fund manager-turned-liberal activist Tom Steyer, a leading Democratic contender, posted a digital ad mocking Swalwell for missing congressional votes. The ad depicted the congressman relaxing by a pool while the House called votes. Steyer's campaign separately challenged Swalwell's residency status in California, arguing he lives in the state "on paper" and requesting an investigation into his eligibility for governor.
The California constitution mandates five years of residency to run for governor, but the Secretary of State's Office has deemed this provision unenforceable. The office did not immediately respond to an inquiry about Steyer's request.
Meanwhile, The California Post sent a reporter to Swalwell's listed Bay Area address, where neighbours claimed they had never seen him. However, Swalwell's landlord filed legal papers affirming the congressman and his wife have rented the property since 2017, stating "He lives at the property."
Swalwell countered that he receives hundreds of death threats and keeps his address private to protect his family, accusing Steyer and the news outlet of endangering them. His campaign insists his living arrangements mirror those of other California House members, with dual residences in the state and Washington.
Campaign spokesperson Micah Beasley noted Swalwell missed votes in September after his mother's death but "has always been present for important or close votes." Swalwell himself posted on X, claiming "Tom Steyer has spent $100 MILLION lying about me."
Another top Democrat, former Representative Katie Porter, criticised Swalwell for his perceived support of immigration enforcement personnel. "Eric Swalwell voted to thank ICE," Porter wrote in an email to supporters. "ICE needs to be abolished, not thanked."
Swalwell's campaign confirmed he was among 75 Democrats who voted last year for a GOP-sponsored resolution condemning an attack on a Colorado demonstration supporting Israeli hostages, which left one woman dead. The resolution expressed gratitude to law enforcement, including ICE. However, the campaign highlighted Swalwell's proposed restrictions on ICE activities, such as requiring agents to remove masks and display official identification.
"If there's someone that Rep. Swalwell has gone after more than Trump, it's ICE," Beasley asserted.
Candidates Try to Break from the Pack
With mail-in voting set to begin in early May, candidates are fiercely competing in a race where a fraction of a percentage point could determine the outcome. This election marks the first governor's race under California's "top-two" primary system—approved over a decade ago—without a dominant candidate, attracting a swarm of Democratic contenders.
Democrats openly worry that their numerous candidates will split the vote, potentially allowing two Republicans to advance to the November election. Even in this heavily Democratic state, an all-GOP general election is possible under the unusual top-two system, which places all candidates on one ballot and advances the top two vote-getters, regardless of party affiliation.
Recent polling by the nonpartisan Public Policy Institute of California shows the field divided into two groups. Swalwell, Republican Steve Hilton (a former Fox News host), Porter, Steyer, and Republican Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco are in close competition, with other candidates trailing behind.
Swalwell faces the same challenge as fellow Democrats: distinguishing himself in a field where candidates largely agree on issues like resisting Trump's agenda and lowering living costs in a state with exorbitant housing, taxes, and utility bills.
Despite Swalwell securing a coveted endorsement from the Service Employees International Union California and high-profile support from Democratic U.S. Senator Adam Schiff, Democratic political consultant Elizabeth Ashford noted, "There's still a little bit of a window" for another Democratic candidate to pull ahead.
"There is momentum behind Swalwell," she added. "I just don't know that it has reached quite the tipping point of like, 'OK, this is the clear front-runner.'"
The race's uncertainty was highlighted by the powerful California Federation of Labor Unions' rare decision to endorse four rival Democrats: Swalwell, Steyer, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and Porter. Each has a strong history with labour groups.
Federation President Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher remarked that the race's dynamics continue to fluctuate. "I think you're still going to see a lot of that bouncing back and forth before it really settles in," she concluded.
