History of Eric Swalwell in Timeline

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

1945: George P. Miller held the seat

George P. Miller held the seat from 1945 to 1973.

1972: Pete Stark unseating Miller

In 1972, Stark won the seat after unseating Miller in the Democratic primary.

1973: George P. Miller held the seat

George P. Miller held the seat from 1945 to 1973.

November 16, 1980: Eric Swalwell's Birth

On November 16, 1980, Eric Michael Swalwell was born.

Others born on this day/year

1999: Attending Campbell University

In 1999, Eric Swalwell attended Campbell University on a soccer scholarship.

1999: Graduation from Dublin High School

In 1999, Eric Swalwell graduated from Dublin High School.

2001: Internship for U.S. representative Ellen Tauscher

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

2001: Ending of Soccer Scholarship

In 2001, Eric Swalwell broke both thumbs, ending his soccer scholarship.

2002: Internship for U.S. representative Ellen Tauscher

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

2003: Bachelor of Arts from the University of Maryland

In 2003, Eric Swalwell received a Bachelor of Arts in government and politics from the University of Maryland, College Park.

2006: Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County

In 2006, Eric Swalwell began working as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County.

2006: Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland

In 2006, Eric Swalwell received a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law.

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.

June 18, 2013: Video of vote against abortion bill

On June 18, 2013, Eric Swalwell used his mobile phone to record a video of his vote against a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks and uploaded it to Vine.

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.

2014: Chairman of O'Malley's PAC's Young Professionals 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: 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.

July 2015: Endorsed O'Malley for president

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

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.

October 2016: Swalwell marries Brittany Ann Watts

In October 2016, Eric Swalwell married his second wife, Brittany Ann Watts, who is a sales director at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay.

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.

2016: Chairman of O'Malley's PAC's Young Professionals Leadership Circle

Although Eric Swalwell 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.

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: Birth of Swalwell's son

In 2017, Eric Swalwell and Brittany Ann Watts welcomed their first child, a son.

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.

2018: Birth of Swalwell's daughter

In 2018, Eric Swalwell and Brittany Ann Watts welcomed their second child, a daughter.

2018: Personal data seized by the DOJ

In 2018, the U.S. Department of Justice under the Trump administration seized Eric Swalwell's personal data.

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.

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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.

December 2020: Axios story on suspected Chinese spy Fang Fang

In December 2020, an Axios story reported that Eric Swalwell was among California politicians cultivated by a suspected Chinese spy, Fang Fang. Fang participated in fundraising for Swalwell's 2014 congressional bid, met him at events, and placed an intern in his office. Swalwell ended ties with Fang in 2015 after a U.S. intelligence briefing. The report stated that Swalwell was not accused of impropriety.

December 2020: FBI official comments on Swalwell investigation

In December 2020, an unnamed FBI official stated that Eric Swalwell was completely cooperative and not suspected of wrongdoing in the investigation related to Fang Fang. Swalwell suggested the information leak came from the Trump administration due to his criticism of Trump.

December 2020: Allegations persist about Swalwell being a national security threat

In December 2020, despite reports clarifying that Fang Fang had not had sexual relations with Swalwell, allegations persisted that he was a national security threat. Following these reports, Swalwell received death and rape threats against him and his family.

2020: Presidential primaries

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

2020: Swalwell purchases home in Washington, D.C.

In 2020, Eric Swalwell purchased a home for $1.2 million in Eckington, Washington, D.C.

2020: Won 2020 election

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

March 5, 2021: Filed lawsuit against Trump and others

On March 5, 2021, Eric Swalwell filed a civil lawsuit against Trump, Trump's son Donald Jr., Representative Mo Brooks, and Rudy Giuliani, seeking damages for their alleged role in inciting the January 6 attack on the Capitol.

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.

April 2021: House Ethics Committee opens investigation into Swalwell

In April 2021, the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Eric Swalwell.

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.

2021: Birth of Swalwell's third child

In 2021, Eric Swalwell and Brittany Ann Watts welcomed their third child.

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: Expelled from the House Intelligence Committee

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

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'.

May 2023: House Ethics Committee closes Swalwell investigation

In May 2023, the House Ethics Committee closed its investigation into Eric Swalwell without further action, cautioning members about potential foreign influence through gifts and interactions.

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!

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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.