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. A member of the Democratic Party, he currently serves as the U.S. representative for California's 14th congressional district, a position he has held since 2023. Prior to this, he represented the 15th district from 2013 to 2023. His district is primarily located in eastern Alameda County.

Sections (5)

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

2001: Internship for U.S. representative Ellen Tauscher

In 2001, Eric Swalwell began working as an unpaid intern for U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher.

2002: Internship for U.S. representative Ellen Tauscher

In 2002, Eric Swalwell continued working as an unpaid intern for U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher.

2006: Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County

In 2006, Eric Swalwell began working 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 the 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.

2012: Swalwell advocates for education and social security

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

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

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

2012: Endorsement by the San Francisco Chronicle

In 2012, the San Francisco Chronicle endorsed Eric Swalwell.

March 2013: Swalwell opposes TSA policy on knives on airplanes

In March 2013, Eric Swalwell led the writing of an open letter opposing a TSA policy allowing passengers to bring knives onto airplanes. He also supports same-sex marriage and is pro-choice.

December 12, 2013: Introduced the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act

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

2013: Representing California's 15th congressional district

In 2013, Eric Swalwell started serving as the U.S. representative from 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.

April 15, 2014: Tax deduction deadline for donations to Philippines relief

The Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act allowed Americans to deduct charitable donations made between January 1 and April 15, 2014, for Typhoon Haiyan relief.

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.

May 2015: Launched Sharing Economy Caucus

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

February 2016: 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 "the Snapchat king of Congress"

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

June 2016: Broadcasting 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 the Protecting Our Democracy Act

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

December 2016: Co-chair of House Democratic Steering Committee

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

January 3, 2017: Sworn into third term

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

January 2017: Reintroduced the Protecting Our Democracy Act

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

2017: Co-chair of the 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 allowing U.S. states to require contractors to pledge not to boycott 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.

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 and released a campaign ad on social media. Gun control was highlighted as his primary focus.

Loading Video...

April 14, 2019: Formal announcement of presidential campaign

On April 14, 2019, Eric Swalwell formally announced 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, facing low polling numbers and the risk of not qualifying for the second set of debates.

July 2019: Dropping out of presidential primaries

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 and Turkish offensive

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

2019: Swalwell makes gun control a signature issue

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

2020: Presidential primaries

Eric Swalwell was a candidate in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries from April to July 2019.

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. The motion was tabled on a party-line vote.

October 2021: Voting record aligned 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

In March 2022, Eric Swalwell proposed closing the Russian embassy and expelling all Russian students from the United States in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. His remarks received backlash, but he defended his position.

2022: Swalwell votes against Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022

In 2022, Eric Swalwell was one of 16 Democrats to vote against the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act of 2022, an antitrust package.

2022: Redistricting to CA-14

In early 2022, Eric Swalwell was redistricted to CA-14 and defeated Republican Alison Hayden.

January 3, 2023: Sworn into sixth term

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

January 2023: McCarthy removes Swalwell from Intelligence Committee

In January 2023, after becoming Speaker, Kevin McCarthy removed Eric Swalwell from the Intelligence Committee, stating he wouldn't have Swalwell on any committee after the FBI briefing he received. Swalwell characterized McCarthy's action as 'purely vengeance'.

2023: Representing California's 14th congressional district

In 2023, Eric Swalwell started serving as the U.S. representative from California's 14th congressional district.

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 November 20, 2025, Eric Swalwell announced his gubernatorial campaign to succeed Gavin Newsom during an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

Loading Video...

2025: Swalwell advocates for ICE agents to remove masks

In 2025, Eric Swalwell advocated for ICE agents to remove masks during enforcement actions, proposing legislation to tie ICE's funding to a ban on agents wearing masks.