California Gov Hopeful Eric Swalwell Skimps on House Duties for Celebrity Chats

Eric Swalwell's Absences Raise Questions About Priorities

Rep. Eric Swalwell, a Democrat representing parts of Alameda and Contra Costa counties in California, has been making headlines not for his legislative work but for his frequent absences from the House floor. The congressman, who is currently running for governor of California, has missed more votes than any other active member of the House this year, sparking concerns about his commitment to his current role.

Swalwell, 45, has missed 95 roll call votes out of a total of 342 this year. This number is more than double that of Rep. Nancy Pelosi, who has missed 46 votes. Interestingly, Pelosi’s absences are attributed to her recovery from hip replacement surgery and her plans to retire in November. Meanwhile, Swalwell’s absence rate has raised eyebrows among political analysts and constituents alike.

The congressman has also missed more votes than Rep. Raúl Grijalva, who passed away in March. His frequent absences have led many to question whether he is prioritizing his campaign for governor over his duties as a U.S. Representative.

Celebrities and Campaigning

One of the most notable instances of Swalwell’s absences occurred on November 20, when he appeared on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” to announce his bid for governor. That same day, he missed two House floor votes, according to congressional records. This event came shortly after he was seen sporting a hat with the show’s logo, showing support for Kimmel, who had recently faced backlash over comments made following Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

In fact, Swalwell hasn’t cast a single roll call vote since November 18. He also missed two days of votes in February, during which he was spotted attending the Los Angeles premiere of HBO’s “White Lotus.” These absences have fueled speculation about his true priorities.

Political analyst David Latterman expressed concern over Swalwell’s actions. “If I were part of his constituency, I’d be pretty ticked off,” he said. Elizabeth Ashford, a Democratic political consultant, added that the missed votes could be a liability for his gubernatorial campaign. “This definitely feels like a forced error,” she said.

Financial Ties to Hollywood

Swalwell’s campaign has also drawn attention due to its financial connections with Hollywood celebrities. According to campaign records, he has received donations from high-profile figures such as Sean Penn, Robert De Niro, Jon Cryer, Kathy Griffin, and Alex Baskin. These contributions highlight the potential influence of celebrity endorsements in his political career.

Despite these ties, Swalwell has faced criticism for his lack of presence in key legislative matters. For instance, he posted a social media video in October vowing to hold U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) accountable after videos surfaced of masked officers confronting a woman in a Walmart parking lot. However, since then, he has been largely absent from related discussions, including a recent hearing where fellow Democrats criticized ICE’s approach to immigration enforcement.

Top 20 House Members by Missed Votes in 2025

Here is a list of the top 20 House members who missed the most votes in 2025:

• Mikie Sherrill – Democrat – New Jersey – 171
• Eric Swalwell – Democrat – California – 95
• Brittany Pettersen – Democrat – Colorado – 91
• Donald Norcross – Democrat – New Jersey – 87
• Wesley Hunt – Republican – Texas – 77
• Josh Gottheimer – Democrat – New Jersey – 74
• Raúl Grijalva – Democrat – Arizona – 69
• Frederica Wilson – Democrat – Florida – 58
• Maria Elvira Salazar – Republican – Florida – 53
• John Garamendi – Democrat – California – 50
• Dina Titus – Democrat – Nevada – 50
• Greg Casar – Democrat – Texas – 49
• John Rutherford – Republican – Florida – 49
• Elise Stefanik – Republican – New York – 46
• Nancy Pelosi – Democrat – California – 46
• Jerrold Nadler – Democrat – New York – 44
• Michael McCaul – Republican – Texas – 43
• Kevin Mullin – Democrat – California – 42
• Gerry Connolly – Democrat – Virginia – 40
• Mark Green – Republican – Tennessee – 39

Mikie Sherrill, a former House representative from New Jersey, topped the list with 171 missed votes while running for governor. Despite criticism, she won her race and will take office in January.

California voters will head to the polls on November 3, 2026, to choose their next governor. With Swalwell’s record of absences and his focus on a statewide campaign, the question remains: Is he truly committed to serving his constituents or is he already preparing for a new role?