Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell has launched his bid for California governor in an already crowded field to succeed Gavin Newsom.

Swalwell announced his candidacy on Nov. 20 in a message on his website, social media, and during an appearance on ABC’s "Jimmy Kimmel Live!," in which he and the late-night talk show host took turns taking jabs at President Donald Trump and FBI Director Kash Patel.

Swalwell told Kimmel he wants to fight for California and make the state, which has the fourth-highest economy in the world, more affordable for residents.

"Our state, this great state, needs a fighter and a protector," Swalwell said. "Someone who will bring prices down, lift wages up."

Swalwell also shared a story with Kimmel about his mother passing away from cancer two months ago, and Swalwell said he's concerned about Trump cutting funding for cancer and other scientific and medical research, calling it "the dumbest thing in the world."

The gubernatorial candidate then made the same talking points that he had made on his website earlier in the day.

"Our state is under attack. The President has militarized our streets, canceled cancer research, zeroed out clean energy climate projects, and is chasing our immigrant friends and neighbors through their workplaces, kids’ schools, and houses of worship," Swalwell said.

Announcement comes a day after billionaire Tom Steyer joins race

Swalwell, 45, was first elected to Congress in 2012, representing a northern California district just outside of Oakland, where he was a prosecutor in Alameda County. Swalwell was also a long-shot candidate in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries before dropping out and endorsing the eventual winner, Joe Biden.

Swalwell became a leading critic during Trump’s first presidential term while serving on the House Intelligence Committee and was a key voice during Trump’s 2021 impeachment trial. Swalwell was removed from the committee when Republicans regained control of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023.

Swalwell has recently been the subject of a Justice Department probe for alleged mortgage fraud. The lawmaker has called the probe "nonsense" and issued a statement in the wake of the probe about what he says is the Trump administration's targeting of political opponents.

"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 without specifically mentioning the Justice Department probe or the mortgage fraud allegation.

Swalwell's announcement for California governor came one day after billionaire environmental activist Tom Steyer said he's also running for the position, seeking to replace Newsom, whose second and final gubernatorial term ends in January 2027 due to state term limits. A Democrat, Steyer is no stranger to politics, having also run as a long-shot 2020 Democratic presidential candidate.

Field to replace Newsom is already crowded

They are entering a crowded field for California governor against more than half a dozen Democrats and two Republicans. Party primaries are scheduled for June 2026. The top two vote-getters will advance to the general election in November 2026.

The current early frontrunners include former Congresswoman Katie Porter, a Democrat, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, and former Fox News Host Steve Hilton, both Republicans. Other notable candidates include former US Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra, State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, and former State Controller Betty Yee, all Democrats.

Terry Collins covers national news for USA TODAY from northern California. He can be reached at tcollins@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Congressman Eric Swalwell enters crowded race for California governor

Reporting by Terry Collins, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

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