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 2013-2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he represents a district covering most of eastern Alameda County.

Sections (5)

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

2001: Internship for Ellen Tauscher

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

2002: Continued Internship for Ellen Tauscher

In 2002, Eric Swalwell continued his unpaid internship for U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher, focusing on legislative research and constituent outreach.

2006: Joins Dublin Heritage & Cultural Arts Commission

In 2006, Eric Swalwell joined the Dublin Heritage & Cultural Arts Commission.

2008: Joins Dublin Planning Commission

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

2010: Elected to 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 and took a leave of absence from the Dublin City Council.

2012: San Francisco Chronicle Endorsed Swalwell

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

2012: Advocated Education 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 advocated creating renewable energy jobs with federal stimulus money and raising the cap on the Social Security payroll tax.

March 2013: Opposed Knife Policy 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. He also supports same-sex marriage and is pro-choice. Swalwell opposed the overturning of Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization and called it "an attack on everyone's freedom" and "government-mandated pregnancy".

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 began representing 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

April 15, 2014, marked the end of the period in which Americans could deduct charitable donations for Typhoon Haiyan relief from their 2013 taxes, as per the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act.

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.

February 2016: Elevated 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: Dubbed '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: Used Facebook Live and Periscope to Broadcast Gun-Violence Sit-In

In June 2016, Eric Swalwell used Facebook Live and Periscope to broadcast House Democrats' gun-violence sit-in. Afterwards, he called for new policies regarding cameras on the House floor.

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.

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: Co-sponsored 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.

2017: Co-Chaired House Democratic Steering Committee

Since 2017, Eric 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: Announced Candidacy for President

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 would be the primary focus of his campaign.

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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: Withdrew from Presidential Race

On July 8, 2019, Eric Swalwell withdrew from the presidential race. His polling average never rose above 1%, and he was at risk of not qualifying for the second set of debates.

July 2019: Dropped Out of Presidential Race and Endorsed Biden

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

2019: Criticized Trump's Trade War and Turkish Offensive

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

2019: Gun Control as Signature Issue

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

2020: Presidential Primaries

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

2020: Won the 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; his motion was tabled on a party-line vote.

March 2022: Proposed Measures Against Russia

In March 2022, Eric Swalwell proposed closing the Russian embassy in the United States and expelling all Russian students in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. He received some backlash for his remarks.

2022: Voted Against Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act

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

2022: Redistricted 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: Removal from Intelligence Committee

In January 2023, after Kevin McCarthy became Speaker, he announced that he would remove Eric Swalwell from the Intelligence committee. Swalwell characterized McCarthy's action as "purely vengeance". Swalwell's membership expired in January 2023.

2023: Represents 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: Announced Gubernatorial Campaign

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

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2025: Advocated for ICE Mask Ban

In 2025, Eric Swalwell responded to masked ICE agents conducting violent enforcement actions by advocating for legislation that would tie ICE's funding to a ban on agents wearing masks in the course of their duties, stating that ICE would be more credible without masks.