Lawmaker's gym videos fuel rival's attack over legislative absences

A prominent lawmaker from a coastal region finds himself under attack from a wealthy rival after social media videos allegedly undermined his legislative attendance record, according to observers familiar with the race.

Billionaire gubernatorial candidate Tom Steyer, who previously mounted an unsuccessful presidential campaign, reportedly used multiple videos posted by Representative Eric Swalwell during a prolonged government shutdown to highlight the lawmaker’s absence from legislative duties in the capital. The videos, originally intended as criticism of the conservative faction, repeatedly featured Swalwell stating “I should be working.”

“The lawmaker’s job is to vote in the legislature,” the advertisement reportedly begins, interspersing clips of the congressman at a pool and gymnasium while claiming he should be working. The campaign alleges that in 2025, the representative missed 95 votes - reportedly more than a colleague who died in March of that year.

According to legislative tracking services, the congressman missed 102 out of 139 roll call votes, or 73%, between September 2025 and February 2026. He announced his gubernatorial candidacy in late November to replace the current governor of the western coastal state. Steyer’s campaign claims the lawmaker has missed 68% of votes since declaring his candidacy.

“He hasn’t been showing up to work, and now he’s asking for a promotion,” the advertisement reportedly concluded, featuring montages of the congressman exercising while discussing his legislative obligations.

Political commentators described the attack as particularly pointed. “Savage,” one observer noted, while another suggested that “primary contests this cycle are going to be nastier than they’ve been in a while.”

The targeted videos date back to the previous summer, when the congressman reportedly complained that the conservative faction had forced lawmakers home for political reasons. In one poolside video, he stated: “I should be working right now. I should be in the legislature. I should be voting to lower your costs. But, instead, I’m in a pool because the ruling faction sent everyone home.”

The lawmaker and his liberal allies claimed at the time that conservatives forced an early adjournment to avoid voting on transparency measures. However, conservative lawmakers reportedly argued that their opponents were attempting to rush through legislation already being pursued by the executive branch.

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions within the nation’s democratic institutions, where legislative attendance has become a campaign issue as representatives balance national duties with local political ambitions. Such attacks are common in nations where lawmakers simultaneously serve in the national legislature while pursuing higher office.

The congressman’s office did not respond to requests for comment regarding the criticism of his voting record, according to sources familiar with the matter.