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TexasTowelie

(124,573 posts)
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 02:53 AM Nov 21

Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell announces bid for governor on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!'

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

LOS ANGELES — Rep. Eric Swalwell, a longtime nemesis of President Donald Trump, announced Thursday on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” that he will run for governor in 2026, promising to be a “protector and fighter” for California.

Swalwell told me backstage before his announcement that the state’s next governor has two missions: “One, keep Trump out of our homes, streets and lives.”

The second, he said, is to “write the story of a new California on lower prices, on business growth and modernizing the state.”

Swalwell’s entry further crowds the field seeking to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom after he is termed out of office, which already includes a long list of Democrats. And it will likely create a rare open House seat in the Bay Area.

Read more: https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/eric-swalwell-governor-california-21193524.php

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Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell announces bid for governor on 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' (Original Post) TexasTowelie Nov 21 OP
The video is up on YouTube Brother Buzz Nov 21 #1
Yes, TexasTowelie Nov 21 #2
He was smart to announce on Kimmel--the show Trump tried to cancel that fought back and won. SunSeeker Nov 21 #3
And one notices these news events are not happening on Press the Meat Bluetus Nov 21 #6
I don't think Katie can win. BonnieJW Nov 21 #9
Sadly, I agree. quaint Nov 21 #10
Still voting for her anyway. ificandream Nov 21 #18
Immediately to the top of the list JoseBalow Nov 21 #4
Plus, I think he cam beat Tom Steyer -- no matter how much money Tom has. quaint Nov 21 #12
I like him where he is... but this would be good for CA and a nice high-profile stepping stone... QueerDuck Nov 21 #5
CA is the 5th largest economy in the world Bluetus Nov 21 #7
Why would it be hard to characterize it that way? It seems rather logical... QueerDuck Nov 21 #8
I don't think it's a stepping stone because he wants to help California as governor, not to become president. quaint Nov 21 #11
Oh, I see. --- I guess time will tell. QueerDuck Nov 21 #14
I guess I think of "stepping stones" as multiple steps along a crefully orchestrated career Bluetus Nov 21 #13
I understand what you mean now. I think it could be both... QueerDuck Nov 21 #15
Agreed. Bluetus Nov 21 #17
Good luck Eric Swalwell! FakeNoose Nov 21 #16
I'm in Pennsylvania and don't get a vote, Deminpenn Nov 21 #19
Good luck to Congressman Swalwell LetMyPeopleVote Nov 21 #20

TexasTowelie

(124,573 posts)
2. Yes,
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 03:09 AM
Nov 21

I posted the video in the Liberal YouTubers right before I posted this thread in LBN. I was looking for a written article meeting the LBN requirements to post.

SunSeeker

(57,354 posts)
3. He was smart to announce on Kimmel--the show Trump tried to cancel that fought back and won.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 06:48 AM
Nov 21

Lots of symbolism there for his campaign.

I love Katie Porter too. It will be tough to choose one over the other.

Bluetus

(2,037 posts)
6. And one notices these news events are not happening on Press the Meat
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 09:42 AM
Nov 21

or any of the legacy media productions.

Heck, before all is said and done, the Kimmel show (and others) may be officially considered part of their news division -- and maybe the only effective past of their news division.

I don't think I have seen any of the ABC/NBC/CBS "news" division programming for 15 or 20 years.

quaint

(4,466 posts)
12. Plus, I think he cam beat Tom Steyer -- no matter how much money Tom has.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 11:35 AM
Nov 21

We don't need another billionaire.

QueerDuck

(717 posts)
5. I like him where he is... but this would be good for CA and a nice high-profile stepping stone...
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 09:23 AM
Nov 21

that may lead to bigger and better things for him.

Bluetus

(2,037 posts)
7. CA is the 5th largest economy in the world
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 09:47 AM
Nov 21

so it is hard for me to think of that as a "stepping stone".

Newsom has recognized that the California Governor has a particularly bully pulpit, and he is using it very effectively. I think Swallwell is the perfect person to carry on with what Newsom has started.

QueerDuck

(717 posts)
8. Why would it be hard to characterize it that way? It seems rather logical...
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 09:54 AM
Nov 21

that any career move which gives him more influence and puts him in the public eye more often (especially with the high-visibility of CA's "bully pulpit" and being an in-demand politician for cable outlets and late-night talk shows) could absolutely be used as a stepping stone for further advancement... perhaps a successful run as VP or even POTUS. Getting from here to there is a process and this move would fit-in nicely with that process and making future successes easier for him.

quaint

(4,466 posts)
11. I don't think it's a stepping stone because he wants to help California as governor, not to become president.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 11:32 AM
Nov 21

The position may help further his political career, but I do not believe that is his motivation.

QueerDuck

(717 posts)
14. Oh, I see. --- I guess time will tell.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 11:54 AM
Nov 21

It can certainly open the doors to more opportunities and I'm sure he's aware of that without being cynical about it ... and his intentions and desires are not motivated by selfishness.

Bluetus

(2,037 posts)
13. I guess I think of "stepping stones" as multiple steps along a crefully orchestrated career
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 11:36 AM
Nov 21

In some ways, the CA Governor is one of the most powerful jobs in the world, and actually might be more of a destination than being President of this mess of a nation we have now.

QueerDuck

(717 posts)
15. I understand what you mean now. I think it could be both...
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 11:57 AM
Nov 21

in that he's sincere in his desire to become a good and faithful governor of CA without some hidden plan in place. I was not using "stepping stone" in a cynical way to suggest that he's being deceptive or selfish ... or as a means-to-an-end. --- It's clear that greater things await him in the future. And this is just one milestone along the way.

Bluetus

(2,037 posts)
17. Agreed.
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 01:16 PM
Nov 21

This is a time when personal ambitions must be set aside. And I think we are seeing leaders step up with exactly that attitude. The "Trump death threats" group came out very strongly today. Until now, they seemed a lot more comfortable in the shadows. The Trump problem is not going to be solved by working quietly in the background.

FakeNoose

(39,707 posts)
16. Good luck Eric Swalwell!
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 12:04 PM
Nov 21


Also, please remember next time to shave before you go on national TV.

Deminpenn

(17,205 posts)
19. I'm in Pennsylvania and don't get a vote,
Fri Nov 21, 2025, 01:45 PM
Nov 21

but Swalwell just rubs me the wrong way. He seems to be someone who likes being in front of a camera to pontificate more than anything else.He seems to be mostly a legislative and policy lightweight, unlike, say Katie Porter and even Steyer.

But ymmv...

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