Career Timeline of Eric Swalwell: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Eric Swalwell made an impact.

Eric Swalwell is an American lawyer and politician currently serving as the U.S. representative for California's 14th congressional district since 2023, after representing the 15th district from 2013 to 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, his district encompasses eastern Alameda County and part of central Contra Costa County. He is known for his work in Congress.

Sections (5)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

2001: Interned for Ellen Tauscher

In 2001, Eric Swalwell worked as an unpaid intern for U.S. representative Ellen Tauscher.

2002: Interned for Ellen Tauscher

In 2002, Eric Swalwell worked as an unpaid intern for U.S. representative Ellen Tauscher.

2006: Deputy District Attorney

In 2006, Eric Swalwell returned to California and worked as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County.

2008: Dublin Planning Commission

From 2008, Eric Swalwell served on the Dublin Planning Commission.

2010: Elected to the Dublin City Council

In 2010, Eric Swalwell was elected to the Dublin City Council.

September 2011: Filed to run for Congress

In September 2011, Eric Swalwell filed to run for Congress in California's 15th district.

2012: Campaign for Congress

During the 2012 election cycle, the Stark campaign accused Swalwell of being a Tea Party candidate and Stark refused to debate with Swalwell during the campaign.

2012: Swalwell's Policy Positions

In 2012, Eric Swalwell advocated for repealing the No Child Left Behind Act, increasing education funding, decreasing defense funding, creating renewable energy jobs with federal stimulus money, and raising the Social Security payroll tax cap.

2012: Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives

In 2012, Eric Swalwell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating Pete Stark.

March 2013: Swalwell opposed policy allowing knives on airplanes

In March 2013, Eric Swalwell led the writing of an open letter to the TSA administrator opposing a new policy that would allow passengers to bring knives onto airplanes.

December 12, 2013: Introduced Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act

On December 12, 2013, Eric Swalwell introduced the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act into the House.

2013: Represents California's 15th congressional district

In 2013, Eric Swalwell started serving as the U.S. representative from California's 15th congressional district, having previously represented the 15th district from 2013 to 2023.

March 25, 2014: Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act signed into law

On March 25, 2014, President Barack Obama signed the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act into law.

April 15, 2014: Charitable Donations Deadline

Between January 1 and April 15, 2014, Americans could deduct charitable donations for the relief of victims of Typhoon Haiyan.

2014: Fang participated in fundraising for Swalwell's congressional election bid

In 2014, Christine Fang participated in fundraising for Eric Swalwell's congressional election bid.

2014: Chairman of O'Malley's PAC

In 2014, Eric Swalwell served as chairman of Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's O' Say Can You See PAC's Young Professionals Leadership Circle.

January 3, 2015: Sworn into second term

On January 3, 2015, Eric Swalwell was sworn into his second term.

April 2015: Founded Future Forum

In April 2015, Eric Swalwell founded Future Forum, a group of young House Democrats focused on the concerns of millennials.

May 2015: Launched Sharing Economy Caucus

In May 2015, Eric Swalwell and Representative Darrell Issa launched the bipartisan Sharing Economy Caucus.

July 2015: Endorsed O'Malley for President

In July 2015, Eric Swalwell endorsed Martin O'Malley for president.

2015: Swalwell ended ties with Fang

In 2015, Eric Swalwell ended ties with Christine Fang after being briefed by U.S. intelligence on concerns about Chinese agents infiltrating Congress.

February 2016: Elevated to vice-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee

In February 2016, Nancy Pelosi elevated Eric Swalwell to vice-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.

April 2016: Dubbed Snapchat king of Congress

In April 2016, The Hill dubbed Eric Swalwell "the Snapchat king of Congress" for his use of social media.

June 2016: Broadcast gun-violence sit-in

In June 2016, Eric Swalwell used Facebook Live and Periscope to broadcast House Democrats' gun-violence sit-in.

December 2016: Introduced Protecting Our Democracy Act

In December 2016, Eric Swalwell and Representative Elijah Cummings introduced the Protecting Our Democracy Act.

December 2016: Named co-chair of House Democratic Steering Committee

In December 2016, Eric Swalwell was named the co-chair of House Democratic Steering Committee.

2016: O'Malley for President

In 2016, Eric Swalwell supported Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley in a potential presidential bid.

January 3, 2017: Sworn into third term

On January 3, 2017, Eric Swalwell was sworn into his third term.

January 2017: Reintroduced Protecting Our Democracy Act

In January 2017, Eric Swalwell and Representative Elijah Cummings reintroduced the Protecting Our Democracy Act for the 115th Congress.

2017: Cosponsorship of Israel Anti-Boycott Act

In 2017, Eric Swalwell co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, a House bill designed to allow U.S. states to enact laws requiring contractors to sign pledges promising not to boycott any goods from Israel and Israeli-occupied territories or their contracts would be terminated.

2017: Co-Chairs House Democratic Steering Committee

Since 2017, Swalwell has co-chaired the House Democratic Steering Committee.

January 3, 2019: Sworn into fourth term

On January 3, 2019, Eric Swalwell was sworn into his fourth term.

April 8, 2019: Swalwell announces presidential candidacy on The Late Show

On April 8, 2019, Eric Swalwell announced his candidacy for president on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" and released a campaign ad on social media.

Loading Video...

April 14, 2019: Formal announcement at Dublin High School

On April 14, 2019, Eric Swalwell made a formal announcement of his presidential candidacy at Dublin High School.

July 8, 2019: Swalwell withdraws from presidential race

On July 8, 2019, Eric Swalwell withdrew from the presidential race, facing the risk of not qualifying for the second set of debates and with polling averages never rising above 1%.

July 2019: Drops out of presidential race and endorses Joe Biden

In July 2019, Eric Swalwell dropped out of the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries and endorsed Joe Biden.

2019: Criticism of Trump's trade war and condemnation of Turkish offensive

In 2019, Eric Swalwell criticized Trump's trade war against China and condemned the 2019 Turkish offensive into northeastern Syria, suggesting a possible suspension of Turkey's NATO membership.

2019: Gun control as a signature issue

In 2019, Eric Swalwell made gun control a signature issue of his presidential campaign, proposing a ban with a mandatory buyback of all firearms deemed assault weapons and universal background checks.

2020: Presidential Candidate

In 2020, Eric Swalwell was a candidate in the Democratic Party presidential primaries.

2020: Won 2020 election

In 2020, Eric Swalwell won the election against Republican challenger Alison Hayden.

March 2021: Motion to remove Swalwell from House Intelligence Committee

In March 2021, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy moved to remove Eric Swalwell from his seat on the House Intelligence Committee, but the motion was tabled.

March 2022: Proposed measures in response to Russian invasion of Ukraine

In March 2022, Eric Swalwell proposed measures on CNN in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including closing the Russian embassy in the US and expelling all Russian students. He defended his stance on Twitter after receiving backlash.

2022: Vote against Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act

In 2022, Eric Swalwell was one of 16 Democrats who voted against the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package aimed at curbing anti-competitive behavior by corporations.

2022: Redistricted to CA-14

In early 2022, Eric Swalwell was redistricted to CA-14.

January 2023: McCarthy removes Swalwell from the Intelligence committee

In January 2023, after becoming Speaker, Kevin McCarthy removed Eric Swalwell from the Intelligence committee, stating concerns based on an FBI briefing. Swalwell's membership had expired due to term limits.

2023: Represents California's 14th congressional district

In 2023, Eric Swalwell started serving as the U.S. representative from California's 14th congressional district, having previously represented the 15th district from 2013 to 2023.

2023: Sworn into his sixth term

On January 3rd, 2023, Eric Swalwell was sworn into his sixth term.

January 3, 2025: Sworn into seventh term

On January 3, 2025, Eric Swalwell was sworn into his seventh term.

November 20, 2025: Swalwell announces gubernatorial campaign on Jimmy Kimmel Live

On November 20, 2025, Eric Swalwell announced his gubernatorial campaign during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live".

Loading Video...

2025: Swalwell advocated for legislation to tie ICE's funding to a ban on agents wearing masks

In 2025, Eric Swalwell advocated for legislation that would tie ICE's funding to a ban on agents wearing masks in the course of their duties, in response to masked ICE agents' enforcement actions.