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 Democratic politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 14th congressional district since 2023. He previously represented the 15th district from 2013 to 2023. His district encompasses most of eastern Alameda County and a portion of central Contra Costa County in California.

Sections (5)

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

2001: Internship for Ellen Tauscher

In 2001, Eric Swalwell worked as an unpaid intern for U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher, focusing on legislative research and constituent outreach.

2002: Internship for Ellen Tauscher

In 2002, Eric Swalwell worked as an unpaid intern for U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher, focusing on legislative research and constituent outreach.

2006: Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County

In 2006, Eric Swalwell returned to California after graduating from law school and worked as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County.

2008: Dublin Planning Commission

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

2010: Election to Dublin City Council

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

September 2011: Filing to Run for Congress

In September 2011, Eric Swalwell filed to run for Congress in California's 15th district and took a leave of absence from the Dublin City Council.

2012: Swalwell Advocated for Education Funding and Social Security Changes

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

2012: Election to U.S. House of Representatives

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

2012: General Election and Endorsements

In 2012, during the election cycle, the San Francisco Chronicle endorsed Eric Swalwell. The Stark campaign accused Swalwell of being a Tea Party candidate, but the accusation was denied and dismissed by the San Jose Mercury News, which also endorsed Swalwell.

March 2013: Swalwell Opposes TSA Knife Policy

In March 2013, Eric Swalwell led the writing of an open letter to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) opposing a new policy allowing passengers to bring knives onto airplanes.

June 18, 2013: Video Recording on Vine

On June 18, 2013, Eric Swalwell used his mobile phone to record a video of his vote against a bill banning abortions after 20 weeks and uploaded it to Vine. This action spurred controversy.

December 12, 2013: Introduction of Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act

On December 12, 2013, Eric Swalwell introduced the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act into the House to allow Americans to deduct charitable donations for Typhoon Haiyan relief from their 2013 taxes.

2013: Swalwell Representing CA's 15th District

In 2013, Eric Swalwell began serving as the U.S. Representative for California's 15th congressional district.

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, a bill introduced by Eric Swalwell.

April 15, 2014: Deadline for Charitable Donations

On April 15, 2014, Americans had to make charitable donations before this date to be able to deduct donations made between January 1 and April 15, 2014 for the relief of victims in the Republic of the Philippines of Typhoon Haiyan.

2014: Chairmanship of O'Malley's PAC Leadership Circle

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

January 3, 2015: Swearing into Second Term

On January 3, 2015, Eric Swalwell was sworn into his second term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

April 2015: Founding of Future Forum

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

May 2015: Launch of Sharing Economy Caucus

In May 2015, Eric Swalwell and Representative Darrell Issa launched the bipartisan Sharing Economy Caucus to explore how the sharing economy can benefit more Americans.

July 2015: Endorsement of Martin O'Malley for President

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

February 2016: Elevation to Vice-Chair of 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: The Snapchat King of Congress

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

June 2016: Use of Facebook Live and Periscope

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

December 2016: Introduction of Protecting Our Democracy Act

In December 2016, Eric Swalwell and Representative Elijah Cummings introduced the Protecting Our Democracy Act to investigate foreign interference in the 2016 election.

December 2016: Co-chair of House Democratic Steering Committee

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

2016: Potential presidential bid by O'Malley

Although he made clear that his support was about the 2014 midterm elections and not an endorsement of a potential presidential bid by O'Malley in 2016, Swalwell endorsed O'Malley for president in July 2015.

January 3, 2017: Sworn into Third Term

On January 3, 2017, Eric Swalwell was sworn into his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

January 2017: Reintroduction of Protecting Our Democracy Act

In January 2017, Eric Swalwell and Representative Elijah Cummings reintroduced the Protecting Our Democracy Act, though it failed to gain bipartisan support.

2017: Co-Chair of House Democratic Steering Committee

In 2017, Eric Swalwell became the co-chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee.

2017: Swalwell Co-Sponsors 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.

January 3, 2019: Sworn into Fourth Term

On January 3, 2019, Eric Swalwell was sworn into his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives.

April 8, 2019: Swalwell Announces Presidential Candidacy

On April 8, 2019, Eric Swalwell announced his candidacy for president on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. He also released a campaign ad on his social media pages, highlighting gun control as a primary focus.

April 14, 2019: Formal Presidential Campaign Announcement

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

July 8, 2019: Swalwell Withdraws from Presidential Race

On July 8, 2019, Eric Swalwell withdrew from the presidential race due to low polling averages and the risk of not qualifying for the second set of debates.

July 2019: Endorsement of Joe Biden

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

2019: Swalwell Criticizes Trump's Trade War Against China and Turkish Offensive in Syria

In 2019, Eric Swalwell criticized Trump's trade war against China. He also condemned the 2019 Turkish offensive into northeastern Syria and suggested suspending Turkey's membership in NATO.

2020: Presidential Primaries

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

2020: Swalwell wins 2020 election

In 2020, Eric Swalwell won the election against Republican challenger Alison Hayden, 70.9% to 29.1%.

March 2021: Motion to Remove Swalwell from House Intelligence Committee

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

October 2021: Voting Alignment with Joe Biden

As of October 2021, Eric Swalwell had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time.

March 2022: Swalwell Proposes Measures Against Russia on CNN

In March 2022, Eric Swalwell proposed measures on CNN in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, including closing the Russian embassy in the United States and expelling all Russian students. He received backlash but defended his stance.

2022: Swalwell Votes Against Antitrust Package

In 2022, Eric Swalwell was one of 16 Democrats who voted against the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package intended to crack down on corporations for anti-competitive behavior.

2022: Redistricting to CA-14

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

January 2023: Expulsion from House Intelligence Committee

In January 2023, Speaker Kevin McCarthy expelled Eric Swalwell and Adam Schiff from the House Intelligence Committee.

January 2023: McCarthy Removes Swalwell from Intelligence Committee

In January 2023, after McCarthy became Speaker, he removed Swalwell from the Intelligence committee, stating he wouldn't have Swalwell on any committee if he had the FBI briefing. Swalwell called McCarthy's action "purely vengeance".