The California Democratic primary is shaping up as a train wreck in slow motion, and this piece breaks down why Eric Swalwell’s new campaign ad and behavior make him a weak, out-of-touch choice for governor. I’ll point out the tone-deaf ad, the odd celebrity stunts, his attendance record in Congress, and what that says about Democratic priorities in California politics.
The ad itself is the story everyone’s mocking for good reason. Swalwell appears to have decided that awkward gimmicks and trying to be viral will replace a clear plan for fixing California’s problems. The result is an invitation for ridicule rather than a persuasive pitch to voters who care about roads, safety, schools, and the economy.
There’s an instinct among some Democrats to chase youth culture and social clout instead of substance, and this spot leans into that mistake. Bringing a teen influencer into a gubernatorial ad makes Swalwell look like he’s out of step with the serious work the job requires. If you want to govern a complex state, you need credibility and concrete ideas, not forced trendiness.
Watching the ad, the disconnect is obvious: the clip trades policy for performance. Voters who face homelessness, high taxes, and public safety worries want plans, not Instagram-ready moments. This approach undercuts his message and helps explain why so many observers reacted with mockery instead of interest.
The bigger picture is that this ad mirrors a pattern for the Democrats: style over substance and optics over competence. Californians deserve someone who will roll up their sleeves and tackle the real failures costing the state money and residents’ peace of mind. Swapping policy depth for viral moments won’t fix an exodus of businesses, dysfunctional schools, or a broken permitting system.
Beyond the cringe factor, there’s Swalwell’s track record as a member of Congress, which raises legitimate questions about his priorities. Reports show he has missed a significant share of roll call votes, and that absentee rate is something voters should weigh when someone seeks higher office. Missing votes while positioning yourself for a statewide run presents a credibility problem.
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.
Those numbers aren’t trivial; they speak to a pattern of prioritizing visibility over the day-to-day duties of representation. Californians who care about effective governance will rightly wonder how someone with that record intends to manage a state government. Leadership is shown in consistent work, not in late-night chats with celebrities or staged publicity moments.
Swalwell’s habit of celebrity appearances and talk-show stops only deepens the contrast between performative politics and real leadership. One can appear on TV and make headlines while ignoring the grind of legislating, but a governor’s job leaves no room for half measures. Voters deserve a candidate who treats public service as an obligation, not a stepping stone to fame.
It’s telling that, despite these concerns, he still polls competitively among Democrats. That says more about the current state of Democratic bench strength in California than it does about his qualifications. For Republicans and independents watching, it’s an opportunity to highlight concrete policy differences and to press for accountability on basic responsibilities like attendance and results.
California’s challenges need real answers: safer streets, lower costs, stronger schools, streamlined regulations, and a government that works for taxpayers. A campaign that trades policy for memes won’t deliver those outcomes, and voters should judge candidates on competence and plans rather than manufactured trendiness.
Those are the stakes as this primary progresses: will Democrats nominate someone who promises actual recovery for the state, or will they reward style and spectacle? The choice matters for every Californian who wants government to focus on solutions and steady leadership.
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