Eric Swalwell announces his candidacy for governor of California and promises to be “protector and fighter”

Rep. Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, announced Thursday that he is launching a campaign for California governor in 2026.

The congressman and longtime foe of President Donald Trump made the announcement during an appearance on the late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”

“He’s going to hate tonight’s episode,” Swalwell wrote on X in response to a social media post from the president criticizing Kimmel for being “biased” and “lacking talent.”

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Rep. Eric Swalwell announced he is launching a campaign for California governor in 2026. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The Democratic lawmaker pledged to be a “protector and fighter” if elected governor.

Swalwell told the San Francisco Chronicle before his announcement that the Golden State’s next governor should have two goals.

“First, keeping Trump out of our homes, our streets and our lives,” he said, adding that the second is “writing the story of a new California based on lower prices, business growth and modernization of the state.”

The congressman made the announcement during an appearance on the late-night show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

“I’m running for governor for all Californians,” he later told MediasTouch. “I am the son of two Republicans, the son of a police officer, and I grew up in a family of police officers. I worked as a prosecutor myself. I know that whether you are a Republican or a Democrat in this state, public safety for yourself, your children and your community is a top priority.”

Swalwell is seeking to replace California Gov. Gavin Newsom, also a Democrat, after the 2026 gubernatorial election.

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Rep. Eric Swalwell is seeking to replace term-limited California Gov. Gavin Newsom. (Getty Images)

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Other candidates include former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former U.S. Rep. Katie Porter and billionaire activist and 2020 presidential candidate Tom Steyer for the Democrats and former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco for the Republicans.

Newsom, who is term-limited as governor, has been touted as a leading potential contender in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary.