Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) has emerged as the frontrunner in early polling for California's gubernatorial race while simultaneously making headlines for a humanitarian gesture involving a deported child.

A new Emerson College Polling/Inside California Politics survey shows Swalwell leading the wide-open Democratic primary to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom with 17 percent support among likely voters. The congressman's support has increased several points since December polling, putting him at the top of a crowded field of potential candidates.

Separately, Swalwell announced Monday that one of his staffers had flown to Colombia to return hearing aid devices to a 6-year-old boy who was deported alongside his mother. "As we stand here, my staff has just landed in Columbia, and is placing the hearing devices back in the boy's ear," Swalwell said during remarks.

The California lawmaker did not provide additional details about the circumstances surrounding the deportation or how his office became involved in the case. The gesture comes as immigration policy remains a prominent political issue.

The gubernatorial race remains in its early stages, with the primary election still more than a year away. Multiple Democratic candidates are expected to enter the race as Newsom prepares to leave office due to term limits.