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Swalwell Hails an "Avengers" of Rising Democrats — Notably Omits Gov. Gavin Newsom

Rep. Eric Swalwell praised a group of rising Democrats as the party's current "Avengers," citing figures such as Rep. Jasmine Crockett and Sen. Ruben Gallego for their organizing and early-state work. He notably did not name Gov. Gavin Newsom, instead praising Newsom's "show, don't tell" approach to politics. Swalwell said some remarks were aimed at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer amid broader intra-party tensions after the 2024 election. The exchange highlights ongoing debates over leadership style and direction within the Democratic Party.

02:30 AM, 11/27/2025Politics
Swalwell Hails an "Avengers" of Rising Democrats — Notably Omits Gov. Gavin Newsom

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a candidate in California's gubernatorial race, praised a group of rising Democratic lawmakers on CNN as the party's current "Avengers," while conspicuously omitting Gov. Gavin Newsom from his list.

When asked by host Kasie Hunt who he viewed as the party's leader after strategist James Carville suggested there would be no clear leader until the next presidential contest, Swalwell offered an upbeat take and highlighted several emerging figures.

"It’s the Avengers right now, right? You’ve got Jasmine Crockett coming to California, helping us elevate the vote to pass Prop 50. Ruben Gallego is going to Iowa and New Hampshire as a Marine, Latino, first in his family to go to college. There’s a bunch of us who are stepping up, but we all understand, you know, the assignment, and that is to bring down prices, period."

Hunt noted that Swalwell did not name Gov. Gavin Newsom, a frequent subject of 2028 speculation. Swalwell defended Newsom's omission not as a dismissal but as praise for what he described as a "show, don’t tell" leadership style — using courts, voter initiatives and tangible action rather than rhetorical letters or public rebukes.

"Well, he is a show, don’t tell leader," Swalwell said. "Some Democratic leaders send long, strongly worded letters to express displeasure. Gavin Newsom goes to the courts and to voters and gets things done. That show-not-tell style is what people expect right now."

Swalwell also confirmed that some of his remarks were aimed at Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. His comments come amid ongoing debates inside the Democratic Party over leadership following the 2024 presidential election. Progressive critics have grown increasingly vocal about the direction and tactics of established party leaders, including Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Republican figures have seized on that leadership debate as well: former President Donald Trump has repeatedly labeled Rep. Jasmine Crockett a future star of the Democratic Party, while other partisan commentators highlight different progressive voices as emerging leaders.

The exchange underscores both the jockeying for influence inside the Democratic coalition and the different models of political leadership being debated — from visible, action-oriented governance to behind-the-scenes legislative maneuvering.

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