California Congressman Eric Swalwell made headlines this week by announcing his bid for governor on late-night television. During an appearance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Swalwell said he’s running to be “a fighter and a protector” for Californians, claiming he wants to bring down prices and raise wages. But his record in Congress and his comments on the show raise serious questions about what kind of leader he would be—and whether his run signals more of the same for a state already struggling under decades of liberal policies.
Swalwell said he’s angry about “Californians running through the fields where they work from ICE agents” and “troops in our streets.” He also mentioned canceled cancer research and the high cost of living. But instead of offering serious policy solutions, Swalwell’s announcement leaned heavily on political theater and emotional appeals. This is the same Eric Swalwell who spent years promoting the Russia collusion hoax, pushed for aggressive gun control, and made headlines for his ties to a suspected Chinese spy. Now he wants to run the largest state in the nation.
Let’s be clear: California doesn’t need more federal-style politics. It needs reform. After years of Democratic control, the state is facing a mass exodus of residents, rising crime, and worsening homelessness. Major cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles are seeing businesses flee due to theft and regulatory burdens. Housing is unaffordable for most working families. The energy grid is unreliable. And while Swalwell boasts that California is the world’s fourth-largest economy, he ignores that it’s also among the most unequal and heavily taxed states in the country.
Swalwell’s record in Congress shows a consistent push for federal overreach and a disregard for individual liberties. He has supported sweeping surveillance powers, strict gun laws, and open-border policies. In fact, his comment about ICE agents chasing workers through fields reveals more about his view of law enforcement than it does about the actual immigration system. He seems to see federal law enforcement as the enemy, even as he supports federal crackdowns on legal gun owners and political opponents.
This kind of double standard is exactly what voters are growing tired of. Swalwell talks about protecting Californians, but his policies have long undermined that goal. His support for sanctuary cities hasn’t made the streets safer. His advocacy for climate mandates has driven up energy prices. And his loyalty to the Democratic Party’s national agenda has kept him aligned with policies that are out of step with the needs of working Californians.
Swalwell’s announcement also reflects a growing trend among Democrats: using celebrity platforms like late-night TV to push political campaigns, rather than engaging directly with voters in town halls or debates. It’s more about headlines and less about accountability. And it’s another sign of how disconnected the California Democratic leadership has become from everyday concerns.
In contrast, President Trump has made it clear that states like California need to reclaim their independence by restoring law and order, defending parents’ rights, and protecting workers from burdensome taxes and regulations. Under Trump’s leadership, Republican governors in states like Texas and Florida have shown what can happen when states put freedom and local control first. California could follow that example—but not with leaders like Swalwell.
If Swalwell’s campaign gains traction, it will test whether Californians are ready to double down on the same policies that have driven the state’s decline—or whether voters are ready for a new path. One that values individual rights, defends the rule of law, and puts families ahead of political theater.
For now, Californians should look closely at Swalwell’s record and ask whether the state can afford more of this kind of leadership. Based on the facts, the answer is no.
