After more than 12 years in Congress, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is eyeing a new workplace: the California governor’s mansion.
According to two sources familiar with the matter who were granted anonymity to discuss the congressman’s private plans, Swalwell has all but decided he is running for governor, with one of the sources saying he has even been discussing an announcement as early as next week.
Swalwell declined to comment when reached by MSNBC, but a source close to the congressman, who asked to remain anonymous to discuss the private discussions, said Swalwell allies had asked him to run “to fill a ‘fighter/protector’ role” in the mold of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The news about Swalwell comes days after Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., announced he would not run for governor, with Newsom vacating the position because he is term-limited after eight years.
Padilla, who previously served as California’s secretary of state, said he would stay put in the Senate rather than jump to the governor’s race. But that doesn’t mean the election won’t be crowded.
Former Rep. Katie Porter, D-Calif., and former Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra — who was also a longtime congressman — have already announced. Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and businessman Stephen Cloobeck, the founder of the timeshare company Diamond Resorts, are also running.
A gubernatorial bid would not be Swalwell’s first run for higher office. The congressman entered the Democratic primary for president in 2020 but dropped out months before the caucuses in Iowa — the state where he was born.
The governor’s mansion would give Swalwell yet another platform to go after President Donald Trump — a frequent adversary of his, since Swalwell has also been one of Trump’s favorite political targets.
Earlier on Thursday, a Trump administration official referred the congressman to the Department of Justice for a potential federal criminal investigation over allegations of mortgage and tax fraud, according to NBC News. Swalwell quickly put out a statement chastising Trump for initiating what he characterized as a political investigation. “As the most vocal critic of Donald Trump over the last decade and as the only person who still has a surviving lawsuit against him, the only thing I am surprised about is that it took him this long to come after me,” Swalwell said. Swalwell has made a name for himself by attacking Trump. But he’s also increased his profile over the attacks and controversies he’s survived. Conservatives have mercilessly gone after Swalwell for his ties to an alleged Chinese spy, Fang Fang, who was reportedly cultivating relationships with California politicians for years. Swalwell denies any improper relationship or actions with Fang Fang and has presented himself as a target of the Chinese government.
Carol Leonnig is a senior investigative reporter with MS NOW.
Mychael Schnell is a reporter for MS NOW. Recommended
