John Franklin Swift (February 28, 1829 – March 10, 1891) was an American politician and author. Swift was a Republican member of the California State Assembly. He represented the 8th district (County of San Francisco) in 1863 and 1873-75. In 1875, he ran as an independent for congress, but lost to William A. Piper. He later represented the 13th District from 1877 to 1880. In 1886, he ran for Governor of California, but lost to Democrat Washington Montgomery Bartlett.
Along with Newton Booth, Swift formed an Independent Republican party whose platform was dominated by an anti-monopoly plank.
Swift served as the United States Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Japan from 1889 to 1891.