California Governor 2026

Rep. Eric Swalwell formally launched his 2026 California gubernatorial bid during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, saying he would be a "protector and fighter" and posting on X that "He’s going to hate tonight’s episode" in a swipe at President Trump. He framed the campaign as a direct challenge to Trump-era policies—accusing them of militarizing streets, cutting cancer research and clean-energy projects and targeting immigrants—while pledging to "keep Trump out of our homes, streets and lives" and to build a "new California" focused on lower prices, business growth and modernization, joining a crowded field that includes Tom Steyer, Katie Porter, Antonio Villaraigosa and Xavier Becerra ahead of the top-two 2026 primary as Gov. Newsom is term-limited.