'I'm ready to do this': Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell says he's gearing up for a 2020 run

Congressman Eric Swalwell talks with the Chronicle editorial board in San Francisco, Calif., as seen on Wed. Mar. 28, 2018. Congressman Eric Swalwell talks with the Chronicle editorial board in San Francisco, Calif., as seen on Wed. Mar. 28, 2018. Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle Buy photo Photo: Michael Macor / The Chronicle Image 1 of / 38 Caption Close 'I'm ready to do this': Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell says he's gearing up for a 2020 run 1 / 38 Back to Gallery

Bay Area Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) told POLITICO that he is leaning toward running for president in 2020.

"I'm ready to do this," Swalwell said. "I have to make a decision before April."

If he does officially declare his candidacy, Swalwell would join California Sen. Kamala Harris as the second candidate in the Democratic primaries with strong Bay Area ties.

Harris was district attorney of San Francisco and attorney general of California before being elected to the Senate in 2016. Swalwell served on the Dublin City Council before joining Congress in 2012.

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Swalwell, who serves as chairman of the House Intelligence Subcommittee on the CIA, said his expertise on national security issues could help him distinguish himself from the rest of the field.

"I think I will be in the top tier of a field of candidates with national security experience,'' Swalwell told POLITICO.

In addition, the 38-year-old Swalwell thinks that he will connect with voters looking for fresh faces with fresh ideas.

"I'm one of the few who are connected to everyday people,'' he said. "We are seeing a high interest in all of these places where we show up ... the 'first in the nation' voters are embracing new energy, new ideas ... and new leadership."

Swalwell represents California's 15th congressional district, which covers the cities of Dublin, Castro Valley, Fremont, Hayward, Pleasanton and Union City, among others.

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The 2020 field is already crowded, with Sens. Elizabeth Warren, Kamala Harris, Cory Booker, Kirsten Gillibrand and Amy Klobuchar officially in the race, along with Reps. Tulsi Gabbard and John Delaney.

Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro has also declared his candidacy, as did South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg.

Eric Ting is an SFGATE staff writer. Email him at eting@sfchronicle.com and follow him on Twitter

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