Reform California with Carl DeMaio · Carl DeMaio

Criminal Investigation Helps Swalwell Surge in CA Gov Race!

March 31, 2026·13 min·1 clip

A criminal investigation against Eric Swalwell might actually help him consolidate Democrat support in the California governor's race.

This episode of Reform California with Carl DeMaio analyzes the California governor's race following a criminal investigation into Democratic candidate Eric Swalwell. Host Carl DeMaio, a state representative and chairman of Reform California, argues this investigation will consolidate Swalwell's support rather than harm it. He contends the greater risk is Republicans being locked out of the top-two primary. DeMaio projects Republicans will split roughly 38% of the primary vote between candidates Bianco and Hilton, giving each about 16-17%. He identifies a three-way Democratic race between Swalwell, Katie Porter, and billionaire Tom Steyer, who is spending $100 million. DeMaio states institutional support from groups like the Firefighters Union and SEIU is coalescing behind Swalwell as the establishment choice. The investigation involves Swalwell's past relationship with a suspected Chinese intelligence operative known as Fang Fang, which was reviewed by the FBI. Kash Patel, a former Trump administration official, announced plans to release files related to this decades-old investigation. DeMaio claims Swalwell is framing this as a political vendetta from "MAGA World," which will rally Democratic voters to him. He notes the residency lawsuit to disqualify Swalwell from the ballot has already failed, as he predicted in a prior episode. A surprising claim is that Swalwell's campaign sees itself as a continuation of Governor Gavin Newsom's work. DeMaio suggests that in a "post-Trump witch hunt era," many voters view such investigations as politically motivated unless an indictment follows. He believes the old news nature of the allegations makes them ineffective with swing voters. The host asserts his insider sources indicate Democratic institutional players are uniting behind Swalwell as a consensus candidate, even if they don't personally like him. The tone is opinionated, analytical, and politically charged, delivered in a direct, conversational monologue. The style blends electoral strategy breakdown with advocacy for Republican voter mobilization. Listeners interested in California politics, electoral strategy, and a conservative perspective on the governor's race would find this episode compelling. Those seeking a neutral, fact-based news report or who are averse to partisan commentary might choose to skip it.

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