SACRAMENTO, Calif. — During a campaign rally in California’s capital city on Tuesday, Congressman Eric Swalwell outlined harsh measures he would take against federal immigration enforcement agents if voters elect him as the state’s next governor.
The Democratic lawmaker told supporters he would bar Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from obtaining state employment and revoke their driving privileges if they refuse to remove face coverings while working. “They think they’re invincible. They’re not,” Swalwell declared to the enthusiastic audience, though he did not detail how such policies would be implemented or survive expected court battles.
The Sacramento gathering launched a statewide tour of campaign events as mail-in voting approaches for the June 2 primary election. With numerous candidates competing for position, Democrats worry about potentially being excluded from the November runoff, since California’s system advances the top two vote-getters regardless of political party.
Swalwell emphasized his congressional experience confronting former President Donald Trump, highlighting his role as an impeachment manager during Trump’s second trial. The congressman has called for completely dismantling ICE and cutting off the agency’s funding, positions he adopted after facing criticism from Democratic opponents who questioned his commitment to immigration reform.
Presenting himself as a champion of workers and progressive values, Swalwell proposed closing state budget shortfalls through new business taxes while expanding healthcare coverage to include low-income residents and undocumented immigrants. He also endorsed allowing government workers to continue remote employment arrangements.
“I will root for the success of anyone who invests and does business in California, if they work with me to lift the wages of hard-working Californians and expand the benefits,” he stated.
This gubernatorial contest represents the first time California’s “top two” primary system will operate without a clear frontrunner since voters approved the format over ten years ago. Political observers consider Swalwell among the leading Democratic contenders, along with wealthy businessman Tom Steyer and former Representative Katie Porter. On the Republican side, ex-Fox News personality Steve Hilton recently secured Trump’s backing, while Sheriff Chad Bianco represents another major GOP candidate.
Fellow Democrats have recently targeted Swalwell with accusations of missing congressional votes and questions about his California residency. The congressman dismissed these attacks Tuesday, saying he would not let them derail his campaign focus.
Originally from Iowa, Swalwell won his House seat in 2012 representing districts east of San Francisco and briefly sought the presidency in 2019. Current Governor Gavin Newsom, who cannot seek reelection due to term limits, has not announced support for any successor candidate.
