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RandySF

(79,985 posts)
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 07:33 PM Nov 13

CA-GOV: Eric Swalwell eyes his next campaign -- a run for California governor

After more than 12 years in Congress, Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., is eyeing a new workplace: the California governor’s mansion.

According to two sources familiar with the matter who were granted anonymity to discuss the congressman’s private plans, Swalwell has all but decided he is running for governor, with one of the sources saying he has even been discussing an announcement as early as next week.

Swalwell declined to comment when reached by MSNBC, but a source close to the congressman, who asked to remain anonymous to discuss the private discussions, said Swalwell allies had asked him to run “to fill a ‘fighter/protector’ role” in the mold of Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The news about Swalwell comes days after Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., announced he would not run for governor, with Newsom vacating the position because he is term-limited after eight years.


https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/news/eric-swalwell-run-california-governor-rcna243786

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CA-GOV: Eric Swalwell eyes his next campaign -- a run for California governor (Original Post) RandySF Nov 13 OP
I like it. And I can understand why he'd do it. W_HAMILTON Nov 13 #1
Honestly RandySF Nov 13 #3
A similar question was asked of Mamdani, I think... W_HAMILTON Nov 13 #4
Sounds good to me! skylucy Nov 13 #2
Candidacy would be good addition to our field. quaint Nov 13 #5

W_HAMILTON

(9,920 posts)
4. A similar question was asked of Mamdani, I think...
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 07:53 PM
Nov 13

...regarding what in his history would lead him to think he could run the largest city in the country.

I don't remember what his answer was, but I thought, mine would have been, "there's nothing that can prepare anyone for that."

I feel the same when it comes to governor of California. The only people that might even remotely have the experience to do so would be people that almost never would take the job (e.g., a former president). So, it comes down more to vision and the person's particular approach in general.

quaint

(4,410 posts)
5. Candidacy would be good addition to our field.
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 08:30 PM
Nov 13

Experience needed to run a large state can be gained in real time. Schwartzenegger kept some Davis staff and I ended up not hating him. I'm not saying I'd vote for Swalwell, I don't know enough yet.

AI Overview
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger notably kept some of Governor Gray Davis's staff members, most prominently appointing Susan Kennedy as his Chief of Staff in 2005.

Kennedy had served as Cabinet Secretary and deputy chief of staff under Davis, a Democrat whom Schwarzenegger ousted in the 2003 recall election. This hiring of a high-profile Democrat from the previous administration was seen as a move by Schwarzenegger to appeal to the state's broad political center and angered some conservative Republicans.

Additionally, during his second term, it was noted that Schwarzenegger had previously hired two senior health care advisers from the ranks of the Davis administration, further demonstrating a willingness to utilize staff from his predecessor's team.

This staffing approach was part of Schwarzenegger's effort to promote a bipartisan image and focus on policy goals that required cross-party cooperation, such as healthcare access and infrastructure projects.

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