Rep. Eric Swalwell makes first campaign stop in Altadena after joining race for California governor

ALTADENA, Calif. (KABC) -- Rep. Eric Swalwell stopped in fire-ravaged Altadena Friday for his first campaign stop after announcing he's running for governor of California.

"People are scared and prices are high, and I have been a fighter, a protector for this state in Congress," Swalwell said. "I have done everything I can to keep the president out of our homes, out of our streets, out of our lives, which is what Californians want right now.

"You need to be inventive and imaginative as far as how you get resources to make sure we still thrive."

Swalwell, a Democrat, joins a crowded field looking to succeed Gavin Newsom.

Billionaire businessman and climate activist Tom Steyer also entered the race this week.

Other Democratic candidates in the race include: former Rep. Katie Porter, businessman Stephen Cloobeck, former L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, former State Controller Betty Yee and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond.

The Republican candidates include Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton.

"They're living in a state with a housing crisis, with a homelessness crisis, with an energy crisis, with an education crisis and plenty of other policy challenges," said Dan Schnur, a political communications lecturer at USC and UC Berkeley.

"I suspect after Newsom and his very national-oriented platform, Californians will be looking for a governor who doesn't just dislike Donald Trump, but is displaying a much more cohesive, and much more detailed policy agenda," Schnur added.

Swalwell rose to national prominence because of his attacks on President Donald Trump, but he plans to run a campaign that addresses local and state issues.

"TV and film is the bread and butter of the California economy," Swalwell said Friday. "It's such an identity for us, and I want this to be the easiest place, not the hardest place to film, so I'm going to fight for an above the line credit to bring back TV and film to California."

There's still time for more candidates to enter the California governor's race with the filing deadline in February 2026. The primary is June of next year.