I’ll walk through how Eric Swalwell’s new California campaign spot misses the mark, why the choice of a teen influencer makes him look out of touch, what his voting record says about priorities, how this reflects broader Democratic problems in California, and the contrast with Republicans focused on concrete solutions.
The latest entry in the crowded Democratic primary for California governor is drawing laughs and eye rolls, and for good reason. Congressman Eric Swalwell released an ad that aims for trendy but lands squarely in the realm of awkward. Instead of presenting a plan or addressing the state’s crises, the spot leans on a manufactured vibe that reads as desperate and disconnected.
The creative choices in the ad scream image over policy, and that’s a problem for someone asking voters to entrust him with running America’s largest state. He appears more interested in scoring cultural points than explaining how he’d fix homelessness, crime, the energy grid, or economic decline. California needs leadership that tackles problems, not another performance piece.
Comparisons to old political blunders are inevitable because the ad feels like a textbook political misstep. The production values try to distract from an absence of substance, but voters notice when messaging is hollow. When you strip away the music and filters, there’s nothing explaining how he would change outcomes for Californians.
Swalwell’s attempt to court younger voters by featuring a 13-year-old influencer only highlights the mismatch between style and seriousness. Relying on a young social media personality reads as pandering, and many viewers find it simply weird. Most Californians can tell the difference between outreach and a publicity stunt that treats voters like an audience to be entertained.
If you want to run a state, you should show you can do the job today, not just look the part tomorrow. Critics point out that Swalwell has missed a sizable share of roll call votes, a detail that feeds the narrative he prioritizes profile-building over constituent service. That perception matters when people are asking who will take responsibility for fixing the state’s problems.
There’s also the broader political angle: this ad is a symptom of a party that too often elevates charisma over competency. California Democrats have a track record of prioritizing political theater while the state’s infrastructure and public safety slowly erode. Voters are tired of rhetoric that substitutes for results.
The personal appearances and late-night selfies don’t answer the core question: how would he govern differently than the current administration? Raising celebrity connections and viral clips doesn’t fill potholes, reduce crime, or bring businesses back. A campaign built around image is a risky proposition for anyone claiming to offer real stewardship.
Concerns about attendance and engagement in Congress have followed Swalwell for some time, and opponents use that record to argue he hasn’t shown the kind of commitment the governor’s office demands. Those are fair lines of attack in a primary when voters are deciding who’s prepared to do the hard work of governance. Leadership is measured by steady effort, not fleeting headlines.
Both The Sacramento Bee and the New York Post published reports this week noting Swalwell’s absences, which are the most of any active member of the House. According to data from GovTrack, most legislators miss about 3% of roll call votes, but Swalwell is sitting at 7.7% since joining Congress. Swalwell has missed 95 votes out of 342 roll calls in 2025.
That passage, quoted from contemporary reporting, feeds a narrative that matters politically. Voters tend to trust candidates who demonstrate consistency and respect for the job’s demands. The optics of missing votes while campaigning for higher office are especially damaging when opponents frame it as neglect.
Despite the skepticism, some polls still show Swalwell at or near the top of the Democratic field, which raises questions about what priorities drive primary voters. Polls don’t always predict outcomes, but they do reveal what messages resonate within a party. For Republicans and independents watching California politics, the choice of nominee will signal whether Democrats prioritize showmanship or actual problem-solving.
The contrast with Republicans is straightforward: many GOP candidates are centering their campaigns on tangible issues and clear policy fixes. That focus can appeal to voters who want action rather than appearances. In a state with real challenges, voters deserve candidates who are focused on solving them, not staging them for online reactions.
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