Governor Swalwell? Rep Eric Swalwell Eyes Gubernatorial Bid

“Not if but when” POLITICO reports on the near certainty that California Congresssman Eric Swalwell will run for California governor as a “moderate alternative to Katie Porter.” With the bar set that low, Swalwell will simply need to answer a reporter’s questions to appear as a moderate alternative.

As the Globe previously reported on Porter’s public meltdown that damaged her campaign:

Porter’s interview with CBS News investigative reporter Julie Watts went viral Tuesday and after a few questions, Porter announced she was ending the interview. Watts asked Porter, “How are you planning to win over the 40% of California voters who voted for President Trump, who you’ll need in order to win?” Porter leans in, wrinkles her face and asks, “How will I need them to win, ma’am?”

Although Porter has never been accused of having an extra-marital affair, Swalwell, on the other hand, will have to steer clear of Chinese honeypots.

POLITICO reports that an ActBlue fundraising page for Swalwell’s campaign was swiftly taken down last Sunday, but allies of the congressman have been circulating favorable polls while Swalwell has been making the rounds with labor unions, special interests, and a scheduled appearance this week on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

POLITICO continues:

Alex Padilla’s decision this month not to run for governor opened a path for Swalwell to be the only sitting member of Congress in the race.

And, best of all for Swalwell, the Trump administration targeted him with mortgage and tax fraud allegations late last week — just in time to use the president’s attacks in a campaign launch. Even before that, Swalwell’s involvement in impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump, and the possibility that Trump might go after him if he ran for governor, was core to the theory of the case Swalwell’s allies were constructing for his campaign.

“Trump attacking him only helps him in nearly every possible way,” said one ally encouraging Swalwell to run who was granted anonymity to discuss the camp’s thinking.

There’s also urgency for Swalwell to get in soon. Unlike two other possible entrants, billionaires Rick Caruso and Tom Steyer, he isn’t wealthy and will need to raise money quickly to break through in a crowded field.

Should Swalwell announce and break through the crowded primary, he will face the winner of the Republican primary whose contenders include Steve Hilton and Sheriff Chad Bianco.

The anti-Trump messaging and legislation from California Democrats creates a lot of noise and partisan fanfare, but does very little to solve the myriad of problems Californians face which include high taxes, poor-performing, public schools, a homelessness epidemic, violent crime, and crumbling infrastructure. Democratic contenders and politicians continue to be light on solutions and problem solving, but heavy on political theater and tactics that dehumanize their opponents.

Apparently, California Democrats in the bid for governor are running against President Trump. Maybe the shtick works well in gerrymandered California or in the rain forests of Brazil, but with Governor Gavin Newsom’s eyes set on the presidency, he is clearing the field for another California Democrat who has yet to construct a clear message on how they will make California more affordable and prosperous for the middle class.