By Edward Henderson
Contributing Writer
SACRAMENTO — With California’s gubernatorial contest still taking shape, U.S. Rep Eric Swalwell — a former prosecutor and longtime member of Congress who gained national visibility during the Trump-era investigations and impeachments — is presenting himself as a candidate with both a prominent national profile and a focus on the affordability pressures facing Californians.
Editor’s Note: This is another in a series of interviews of California’s gubernatorial candidates intended to inform voters about where the candidates stand on key issues. The opinions, assertions and claims expressed are those of the candidates and have not been independently verified.
Representing the East Bay and previously serving on the Dublin City Council, Swalwell has built his political identity around government oversight, public safety, and economic development.
In a conversation with California Black Media, Swalwell outlined his vision for fighting back against Donald Trump, lowering costs, increasing government accountability, protecting children in a digital age, and building trust with African American communities across the state.
CBM: What are your reasons for running for governor — and what differentiates you in a crowded Democratic field?
ES: People are scared, and prices are high. They’re scared of a president whose ICE agents are chasing them through the fields and factories where they work, who puts troops in the streets, or would cancel cancer research funding.
People want a fighter and a protector. I’ve been that for the last 10 years while Donald Trump has been on the national stage. I helped lead the Russia investigation with Adam Schiff. I was part of both impeachments and served as a manager in the second impeachment. Most recently, I still have the only lawsuit that has survived this new presidency — it’s me and the Jan. 6 officers.
I’ve learned you have to go on offense if you’re going to protect the most vulnerable. Otherwise, they’ll always be on their heels.
At the same time, people are struggling with affordability. I want to write a new California story with Californians—one that brings down costs, especially housing. That means building like crazy and putting “shot clocks” on agencies that delay housing approvals so we can increase supply faster.
We should be a state where you can take your first job, have your first kid, and buy your first home in the same decade. Right now, the average first-time homebuyer is over 40.
I’ve done this before as a city councilman in Dublin. When I left for college in 1999, the city had 30,000 people. Today it’s close to 100,000. Economic development transformed that community — 96% of students now go on to college, compared to just 25% when I graduated. I want to bring that kind of growth statewide.
For small businesses, I’ve proposed a tax holiday in their first years and creating “CalApp,” a one-stop shop for licensing, compliance, permitting and taxes — so it’s easier to start and grow a business.
CBM: Beyond affordability, what other issue is personal to you?
ES: As a parent of an 8-year-old, a 7-year-old, and a 4-year-old, I think a lot about how we protect our kids — especially from social media and AI.
I want to prohibit cell phones in classrooms and put safeguards in place against AI being used for cyberbullying or exploitation.
At the same time, we have to prepare the next generation for the workforce. Our schools need to provide students with adaptable skills so they can adjust as the economy and job market change.
That’s what you get with a 45-year-old governor who has young kids — we share the concerns of California families, but also their optimism. With the right leadership, we can write a new California story for our kids.
CBM: You’ve emphasized government accountability in your campaign. What does that look like in practice?
ES: Accountability means transparency and results. People should know how their tax dollars are being spent, and if programs aren’t working, we shouldn’t keep funding them.
I’ve spent 20 years in government — as a city councilman, a prosecutor, and in Congress — and I’ve always believed in being accountable to the people.
During the 2008–09 recession, our city faced real challenges, but we didn’t have to cut essential services like other cities did. That’s because we were responsible stewards of public money and had invested in growth.
As governor, I’d bring that same approach. I’ve proposed giving state employees a “finder’s fee” if they identify waste, fraud or abuse. I want everyone to have skin in the game.
My job is to give Californians confidence that their government is using their money wisely and delivering real outcomes.
CBM: What is your message to African American voters — particularly around disparities in healthcare and economic opportunity?
ES: I’m not new to working with the community. As a prosecutor in Alameda County, I saw firsthand what injustice looks like when we don’t invest in every community — what that means for kids, for parents, and for access to health care, jobs, and basic resources.
I will always advocate for a strong foundation in every community so that anyone willing to work hard has a chance to succeed and dream bigger for their children.
I know there are big dreams in the African American community, and they’ll have a governor in me who wants to help make those dreams real.
I also know I have more to learn. That’s why partnerships matter. Leaders like Corey Jackson, Mike Gipson, Tina McKinnor, and Sydney Kamlager-Dove are part of my coalition. They’ll help keep me informed and accountable.
Edward Henderson writes for California Black Media.
