History of Eric Swalwell in Timeline
Eric Swalwell is a Democratic U.S. Representative for California's 14th congressional district, serving since 2023. His district encompasses a large portion of eastern Alameda County and part of central Contra Costa County. Previously, from 2013-2023, the same area was designated as California's 15th congressional district. Before entering politics, Swalwell practiced law.
1945: Start of George P. Miller's Term
George P. Miller began representing Eric Swalwell's district (and its predecessors) in 1945.
1972: Pete Stark Unseats George P. Miller
Pete Stark unseated George P. Miller in the 1972 Democratic primary.
1973: End of George P. Miller's Term
George P. Miller's representation of Eric Swalwell's district (and its predecessors) ended in 1973.
November 16, 1980: Birth of Eric Swalwell
Eric Swalwell was born on November 16, 1980, in Sac City, Iowa.
1999: Attended Campbell University
Eric Swalwell began attending Campbell University on a soccer scholarship in 1999.
1999: Graduation from Dublin High School
Eric Swalwell graduated from Dublin High School in 1999.
2001: End of Campbell University Scholarship and Transfer to University of Maryland
In 2001, Eric Swalwell broke both his thumbs, ending his soccer scholarship at Campbell University. He then transferred to the University of Maryland.
2001: Internship with Ellen Tauscher
In 2001, Eric Swalwell started working as an unpaid intern for U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher.
2002: Continued Internship with Ellen Tauscher
Eric Swalwell continued his internship with U.S. Representative Ellen Tauscher in 2002.
2003: Graduation from University of Maryland
Eric Swalwell graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Arts in government and politics in 2003.
2006: Graduation from University of Maryland Law School
Eric Swalwell received a Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law in 2006.
2006: Start of Service on Dublin Heritage & Cultural Arts Commission
Eric Swalwell served on the Dublin Heritage & Cultural Arts Commission from 2006 to 2008.
2008: Service on the Dublin Planning Commission and Deputy District Attorney
From 2008 to 2010, Eric Swalwell served on the Dublin Planning Commission. He also worked as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County.
2010: Election to Dublin City Council
Eric Swalwell was elected to the Dublin City Council in 2010.
September 2011: Candidacy for Congress
In September 2011, Eric Swalwell filed to run for Congress in California's 15th district.
2012: Election to the U.S. House of Representatives
In 2012, Eric Swalwell was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, defeating 40-year incumbent Pete Stark.
2012: Beginning of Contact with Christine Fang
Eric Swalwell's contact with suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang reportedly began around 2012.
2012: Policy Positions
In 2012, Eric Swalwell advocated for repealing the No Child Left Behind Act, increasing education funding, and raising the cap on the Social Security payroll tax.
2012: Campaigning against Pete Stark
During the 2012 election cycle, Eric Swalwell's campaign against incumbent Pete Stark included accusations, endorsements, and a refusal to debate by Stark. Swalwell employed campaign gimmicks such as using rubber ducks.
March 2013: Opposition to TSA Knife Policy
In March 2013, Eric Swalwell led opposition to a TSA policy allowing knives on airplanes.
June 18, 2013: Vine Video of House Vote
On June 18, 2013, Eric Swalwell recorded and uploaded a Vine video of his vote against an abortion ban, leading to discussion about House rules and decorum.
December 12, 2013: Introduction of Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act
On December 12, 2013, Eric Swalwell introduced the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act in response to Typhoon Haiyan.
2013: Start of Congressional Service in California's 15th District
In 2013, Eric Swalwell began his service as a U.S. Representative for California's 15th congressional district.
March 25, 2014: Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act Signed into Law
President Barack Obama signed the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act into law on March 25, 2014.
April 15, 2014: Donation Deduction Deadline for Typhoon Haiyan Relief
The deadline for tax deductions for charitable donations for Typhoon Haiyan relief, as outlined in the Philippines Charitable Giving Assistance Act, was April 15, 2014.
2014: Fundraising by Christine Fang
Christine Fang reportedly participated in fundraising for Eric Swalwell's 2014 congressional campaign.
2014: Support for Martin O'Malley's PAC
In 2014, Eric Swalwell chaired the Young Professionals Leadership Circle of Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley's O' Say Can You See PAC.
January 3, 2015: Sworn into Second Term
Eric Swalwell was sworn into his second term in the House of Representatives on January 3, 2015.
April 2015: Founding of Future Forum
In April 2015, Eric Swalwell founded the Future Forum, a group of young House Democrats focused on millennial issues.
May 2015: Launch of Sharing Economy Caucus
In May 2015, Eric Swalwell and Representative Darrell Issa launched the bipartisan Sharing Economy Caucus.
July 2015: Endorsement of Martin O'Malley
In July 2015, Eric Swalwell endorsed Martin O'Malley's presidential bid.
2015: End of Contact with Christine Fang
Eric Swalwell ended contact with Christine Fang in 2015 after being briefed by US intelligence.
February 2016: Appointment to Democratic Steering and Policy Committee
In February 2016, Nancy Pelosi appointed Eric Swalwell as vice-chair of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.
April 2016: "The Snapchat King of Congress"
In April 2016, Eric Swalwell was dubbed "the Snapchat king of Congress" by The Hill for his use of social media.
June 2016: Gun-Violence Sit-in Broadcast
Eric Swalwell used Facebook Live and Periscope to broadcast House Democrats' gun-violence sit-in in June 2016.
October 2016: Second Marriage
Eric Swalwell married Brittany Ann Watts, a sales director at the Ritz-Carlton in Half Moon Bay, in October 2016.
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 became co-chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee.
January 3, 2017: Sworn into Third Term
Eric Swalwell was sworn into his third term in the House of Representatives on January 3, 2017.
January 2017: Reintroduction of Protecting Our Democracy Act
In January 2017, Eric Swalwell and Elijah Cummings reintroduced the Protecting Our Democracy Act.
2017: Birth of First Child with Brittany Watts
Eric Swalwell and Brittany Watts welcomed their first child together, a son, in 2017.
2017: Co-chair of House Democratic Steering Committee
Eric Swalwell became Co-chair of the House Democratic Steering Committee in 2017.
2017: Co-sponsoring the Israel Anti-Boycott Act
In 2017, Eric Swalwell co-sponsored the Israel Anti-Boycott Act, which sought to permit U.S. states to create laws requiring contractors to pledge not to boycott goods from Israel and Israeli-occupied territories.
2018: Birth of Second Child with Brittany Watts
Eric Swalwell and Brittany Watts had their second child, a daughter, in 2018.
2018: Data Seizure by DOJ
In 2018, the Department of Justice seized Eric Swalwell's personal data.
January 3, 2019: Sworn into Fourth Term
Eric Swalwell was sworn into his fourth term in the House of Representatives on January 3, 2019.
April 8, 2019: Presidential Candidacy Announcement
Eric Swalwell announced his candidacy for president on April 8, 2019.
April 14, 2019: Formal Presidential Candidacy Announcement
On April 14, 2019, Eric Swalwell formally announced his presidential campaign at Dublin High School.
July 8, 2019: Withdrawal from Presidential Race
Eric Swalwell withdrew from the presidential race on July 8, 2019.
July 2019: End of 2020 Presidential Campaign
Eric Swalwell ended his 2020 Democratic presidential campaign in July 2019 and endorsed Joe Biden.
2019: Criticizing Trump's Trade War and Turkey's Actions in Syria
In 2019, Swalwell publicly criticized President Trump's trade war with China. He also condemned Turkey's military offensive in northeastern Syria, suggesting a potential suspension of Turkey's NATO membership.
December 2020: Allegations of Chinese Spy Involvement
In December 2020, a report emerged about Eric Swalwell's contact with suspected Chinese spy Christine Fang. Swalwell cut ties with Fang in 2015 after an FBI briefing, and he was not accused of wrongdoing.
2020: 2020 Democratic Party Presidential Primaries
Eric Swalwell participated in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries.
2020: 2020 Election Win
Eric Swalwell won the 2020 election against Republican challenger Alison Hayden.
2020: Purchase of Home in Washington, D.C.
In 2020, Swalwell bought a house in Eckington, Washington, D.C., for $1.2 million.
March 5, 2021: Lawsuit against Trump and others
On March 5, 2021, Eric Swalwell filed a lawsuit against Donald Trump, Donald Trump Jr., Mo Brooks, and Rudy Giuliani for their alleged role in the January 6 Capitol attack.
March 2021: Motion to Remove from Intelligence Committee
In March 2021, Kevin McCarthy moved to remove Eric Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee, but the motion was tabled.
April 2021: House Ethics Committee Investigation Opened
The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into Eric Swalwell in April 2021.
October 2021: Voting Alignment with Biden
As of October 2021, Eric Swalwell voted in line with Joe Biden's position 100% of the time.
2021: Birth of Third Child with Brittany Watts
The Swalwells' third child was born in 2021.
March 2022: Proposed Measures in Response to the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
In March 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Swalwell proposed strong measures on CNN, including closing the Russian embassy in the U.S. and expelling Russian students. This proposal sparked backlash, but Swalwell defended his position.
2022: Vote against Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act
In 2022, Eric Swalwell voted against the Merger Filing Fee Modernization Act.
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: Removal from Intelligence Committee
In January 2023, Speaker Kevin McCarthy removed Eric Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee.
May 2023: House Ethics Committee Investigation Closed
In May 2023, the House Ethics Committee closed its investigation into Eric Swalwell with no further action.
2023: Current Congressional Service in California's 14th District
As of 2023, Eric Swalwell serves as the U.S. representative for California's 14th congressional district.