Rep. Adam Gray endorses Eric Swalwell for California governor
Rep. Adam Gray, a moderate Democrat representing one of the country’s most competitive House districts, has endorsed colleague Rep. Eric Swalwell in the race for California governor.
Swalwell, D-Dublin, is “a leader with integrity and a man of his word. He will be a Governor who represents all of California,” Gray, D-Merced, said in a statement. “He knows the Central Valley powers the state’s economy, and he will protect hard-earned jobs, support farmers, and lower the cost of health care, groceries, and everyday expenses. ”
Gray will also serve as a co-chair of Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign. The Merced Democrat won his seat representing the 13th Congressional District in 2024, when he bested incumbent John Duarte by just 187 votes.
Swalwell, a critic of the president who managed an impeachment inquiry during Trump’s first term, entered the governor’s race in November and has raised more than $3 million for his campaign.
He’s snagged early endorsements from other Congressional colleagues from California: Democratic Reps. Mike Thompson, Jimmy Gomez, Nanette Barragan, Kevin Mullin, and Jimmy Panetta. Stephen Cloobeck, a billionaire Democratic megadonor, dropped his own gubernatorial campaign to back Swalwell.
Other Democratic elected officials, along with labor and interest groups, have made endorsements in the race ahead of the June 2 top-two primary. Gov. Gavin Newsom has not backed a candidate to succeed him.
Former Rep. Katie Porter has snapped up endorsements from labor groups including the Teamsters, National Union of Healthcare Workers and United Auto Workers. She’s also endorsed by Reps. Dave Min and Derek Tran, who hail from Porter’s turf in Orange County.
Antonio Villaraigosa, a former Los Angeles mayor and Assembly Speaker, also has labor endorsements, including the State Building and Construction Trades Council and Peace Officers Research Association of California, which combined represent close to 600,000 workers in construction and law enforcement. He’s also endorsed by former Sen. Barbara Boxer and LA Mayor Karen Bass.
PORAC, the police union, has also backed Republican Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco in a first-time double endorsement. Dozens of other local police unions and GOP elected officials have endorsed Bianco.
Hilton, the other major Republican in the race, is endorsed by Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Rocklin, and Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig, who is registered with No Party Preference.
Progressive Rep. Ro Khanna, who is also reportedly considering a 2028 presidential bid, has backed billionaire Tom Steyer, a Democratic billionaire who has pledged to lower costs by taking on investor-owned utilities.
This story was originally published January 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM.
