Congressman Eric Swalwell has officially jumped into the overcrowded race for California governor, announcing his campaign during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show this week. The timing and venue make clear he’s leaning into television theatrics rather than the hard, boring work of fixing roads, prisons, and rising costs that Californians actually care about.
Swalwell arrives in a field already swollen with big-name Democrats — from Tom Steyer and Katie Porter to Antonio Villaraigosa and Xavier Becerra — plus a small but determined Republican flank trying to offer voters a real alternative. California’s top-two June primary means the left will likely splinter its own vote unless conservatives organize and nominate a serious, results-oriented standard-bearer.
Let’s not forget Swalwell’s baggage. He’s faced long-standing scrutiny over an alleged relationship a decade ago with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative — an episode Republicans have not forgotten and one the public ought to consider when weighing who runs the nation’s largest state. Meanwhile, he’s also been the subject of recent referrals and allegations about mortgage and tax questions that his defenders call “nonsense” but deserve answers before he asks voters to trust him with a statewide mandate.
Rather than outlining a pragmatic plan to tackle homelessness, soaring housing costs, or the opioid crisis, Swalwell’s opening message drums up another chapter in the national anti‑Trump spectacle that Democrats have made their political currency. Californians are exhausted by politicians who treat public office like a talk‑show stage; they want leaders who will protect neighborhoods, support struggling families, and bring businesses back — not another professional combatant for cable TV.
Make no mistake, California is in crisis: skyrocketing housing prices, persistent homelessness, failing schools in many districts, and a public safety problem that Democrats have consistently underperformed on. The voters’ frustration is palpable, and Swalwell’s record in Washington suggests he’ll continue prioritizing headlines over solutions if elected governor. Conservatives should use this moment to highlight real policies that restore safety and opportunity for working families.
Republicans in the state must stop treating California like a lost cause; there are credible GOP voices — from law‑and‑order sheriffs to business leaders tired of punishing regulations — ready to step up if conservatives unite behind clear, practical platforms. This race will be decided on kitchen‑table issues, not who shouts the loudest on late-night television, and every conservative must be prepared to vote and organize to stop another career politician from turning Sacramento into a national PR stage.
Swalwell may pride himself on being a fighter in Washington, but being theatrical isn’t the same as being effective. Hardworking Californians deserve governors who will focus on lowering costs, securing neighborhoods, defending school choice, and making the economy work for families — not more partisan theater. Conservatives should make the case plainly: California needs problem-solvers, not performers.
