The field of candidates vying to be California’s next governor just got even more crowded.

Thursday night, Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell, a big name in Washington and in the Bay Area, officially entered the race.

However, Swalwell isn’t just a big name in national politics, but also a big name in Dublin, his hometown and part of the district he represents.

After announcing his run for governor Thursday night on live television, Swalwell kicked off his campaign Friday in fire-ravaged Altadena, speaking directly to displaced residents about his vision for wildfire prevention, improved emergency response and helping fire victims get back on their feet.

“There’s a lot of heart in this community and I want to be a governor that mirrors that heart but not just mirrors it and understand it but takes a ‘gets s*** done’ approach for the people here and not let bureaucracy get in the way,” Swalwell said.

In the Bay Area’s Tri Valley, Swalwell’s congressional district and home, his run for governor is a point of contention.

“I do not like the way Swalwell has talked about our president,” said Patricia Turnage of Castro Valley.

Swalwell served as a house manager in President Donald Trump’s 2021 impeachment trial and has been consistent in his full-throated rejection of Trump’s policies.

Now it’s a theme he’s making central to his campaign.

Uc Santa Cruz Political and Media Analyst Nolan Higdon notes Swalwell has instant name recognition after years in congress, but he joins a crowded field that includes several other political heavy hitters.

Those include former Democratic Congresswoman Katie Porter, billionaire philanthropist Tom Steyer, former US Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Beccera, and state Superintendent Tony Thurmond. They’re all coalescing around the same issue: affordability.

“Can Swalwell stand out? Does he have some actual policies in attaining affordability, which is a goal, not a policy, that can make him stand out to the other candidate? I think that’s going to be one of the challenges that he’s going to face,” Higdon said.

“We do have a lot of good candidates, but we like Eric,” said Connie and Larry.