Swalwell's Home Turf Problem

Ideological differences, lingering resentment, key local endorsements for rivals leave Swalwell without a solid base; Termed out Alameda mayor is backing a newcomer over three experienced candidates

☕️MORNING BUZZ

Vol. VI, No. 1,234

—For a candidate who could plausibly contend for governor of the nation’s most powerful state, Eric Swalwell’s base of support at home is strikingly thin.

The reasons are both ideological and personal. Despite his high-profile opposition to President Trump, many Democratic insiders in Alameda County do not view Swalwell as a reliable progressive.

Over time, his positions—support for law enforcement, past rhetoric on border security, and unwavering backing of Israel—have placed him out of step with the prevailing politics of the deep-blue East Bay.

There’s also history. Early in his congressional career, Swalwell unseated two well-regarded local figures—Pete Stark and later Ellen Corbett—moves that, while politically successful, left lingering resentment among longtime Democratic activists.

—While those rifts have softened, they were never fully repaired. Today, many local elected officials maintain cordial relationships with Swalwell, but few are deeply aligned with him.

Compounding this is a perception that Swalwell has been less present locally in recent years, particularly after purchasing a home in Washington, D.C. His visibility in the district has picked up more recently, coinciding with early maneuvering around a gubernatorial run—fueling skepticism about his engagement with the East Bay.

—The political consequence is significant: Swalwell lacks a strong bench of local surrogates who can advocate for him and reinforce his candidacy. Instead, his support structure leans heavily on national media exposure and institutional press coverage, rather than grassroots or insider backing at home.

Recent endorsements underscore the challenge. Assemblymember Mia Bonta’s decision to back Tom Steyer, rather than Swalwell.

It’s further telling that Rep. Ro Khanna, who has served with Swalwell in Congress in neighboring districts for the past decade, has also endorsed Steyer. Khanna is now featured in a new campaign ad in support of Steyer.

Taken together, Swalwell’s path to higher office may depend less on consolidating his home base and more on building a coalition elsewhere—an unusual, and potentially risky, strategy for a California gubernatorial hopeful.

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