Race for California governor continues to heat up, with Trump critic Rep. Eric Swalwell jumping in

""People are scared and prices are high, and I see the next governor of California having two jobs - one to keep the worst president ever out of our homes, streets and lives," Swalwell said. "The second job is to bring what I call a new California, and that's especially and most poignantly on housing and affordability in a state where we have the highest unemployment rate in the country, and the average age for a first-time homebuyer is 40 years old, and so we need to bring that down.""

"Voter interest in the race remains relatively moribund, especially after two of California's most prominent Democrats - former Vice President Kamala Harris and current U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla - opted to skip the race after months of speculation. About 44% of registered voters said in late October that they had not picked a preferred candidate to lead California, which is the most populous state in the union and has the fourth-largest economy in the world."

"The lack of a blockbuster candidate in the race, however, continues to entice others to jump in. Earlier this week, billionaire hedge fund founder Tom Steyer announced his bid, and other well-known Democrats are exploring a possible run. Swalwell, a 45-year-old former Republican and former prosecutor who unsuccessfully ran for president in 2020, said his decision was driven by the serious problems facing California and the threats posed to the state and nation with Trump in the White House."

Eric Swalwell, 45, declared a bid for California governor during an appearance on ABC's late-night Jimmy Kimmel show. He emphasized housing affordability, lower unemployment, and opposition to President Trump as central reasons for running. Voter interest in the race remains low, with about 44% of registered voters reporting no preferred candidate and prominent Democrats Kamala Harris and Alex Padilla opting out. The absence of a dominant contender has encouraged additional entries, including Tom Steyer, and others continue to explore runs. Swalwell is a former Republican and prosecutor who ran for president in 2020 and framed his campaign around urgent state and national threats.

Read at Los Angeles Times