The race for the Democratic nomination for governor of California is beginning to take shape, with multiple candidates signaling interest as the state looks ahead to its next election.

Among them is Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat who represents California’s 14th Congressional District and who has recently declared his intention to seek the governorship.

Swalwell’s early campaign efforts have drawn significant attention, particularly after the release of a campaign advertisement aimed at younger voters.

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The ad features 13-year-old political influencer Knowa De Baraso and appears designed to appeal to a social media–savvy audience.

While the strategy has generated discussion online, it has also prompted questions about the substance of Swalwell’s campaign message and how he intends to address California’s ongoing challenges if elected.

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The ad itself does not outline specific policy proposals or plans for governance, focusing instead on presentation and outreach style.

As a result, some observers have noted that it offers little insight into Swalwell’s priorities on issues such as housing affordability, crime, homelessness, taxation, or energy policy—areas that continue to dominate political debate in California.

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Swalwell’s entry into the race also comes as scrutiny increases around his attendance record in Congress.

Reports published this week by The Sacramento Bee and the New York Post highlighted that Swalwell has missed more roll call votes than any other active member of the U.S. House of Representatives.

According to data from GovTrack, most members of Congress miss approximately 3 percent of roll call votes.

By contrast, Swalwell has missed 7.7 percent of votes since joining Congress.

GovTrack data shows that Swalwell has missed 95 out of 342 roll call votes in 2025.

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Notably, his total exceeds that of the late Rep. Raul Grijalva of Arizona, who died nine months ago but remains listed in comparative attendance data.

The Sacramento Bee also reported that Swalwell has not cast a vote since declaring his gubernatorial run last month.

These attendance figures have raised questions about how Swalwell balances his congressional responsibilities with his statewide campaign.

While members of Congress often travel extensively during election cycles, missed votes are frequently used by political opponents and analysts as a metric for engagement and legislative participation.

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At the same time, Swalwell has remained visible in national media and entertainment circles.

He has made public appearances alongside well-known figures, including late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel.

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Such appearances have helped keep his profile elevated as the Democratic field develops, though they have also drawn attention away from his legislative record.

The California gubernatorial race is expected to remain fluid for months, with additional candidates likely to enter and policy positions evolving as the campaign progresses.

Democrats are preparing for a competitive primary following years of Democratic control in Sacramento, most recently under Gov. Gavin Newsom, who is term-limited. Newsom has frequently been mentioned in national political discussions and has faced criticism over the state’s handling of crime, housing costs, homelessness, and business regulation.

Despite questions surrounding Swalwell’s attendance record and early campaign messaging, polling indicates that he currently leads other Democratic contenders.

While early polls are not predictive of final outcomes, they suggest that name recognition and media visibility may be playing a role in shaping the initial contours of the race.

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As the campaign moves forward, candidates are expected to release more detailed policy platforms and participate in debates that focus on California’s economic outlook, public safety, infrastructure, and governance.

For Swalwell, increased scrutiny of his congressional record and campaign strategy is likely as voters evaluate how each candidate’s experience and priorities align with the state’s needs.

The Democratic primary remains months away, and with the field still forming, the race for California governor is only beginning to take shape.

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