Eric Swalwell

Eric Swalwell
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California's 15th district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 3, 2013
Preceded by	Mike Honda
Personal details
Born	Eric Swalwell, Jr. (1980-11-16) November 16, 1980 Sac City, Iowa, U.S.
Nationality	American
Political party	Democratic
Residence	Dublin, California
Alma mater	University of Maryland (B.A.) University of Maryland School of Law (J.D.)
Occupation	Attorney
Website	Representative Eric Swalwell

Eric Swalwell, Jr. (born November 16, 1980) is an American politician from California, who serves as the U.S. Representative from California's 15th congressional district. He is a member of the Democratic Party. His district covers most of eastern Alameda County, including Hayward, Pleasanton, Livermore, Fremont, Dublin and San Ramon. He was elected in November 2012, defeating incumbent Pete Stark, a fellow Democrat almost a half-century Swalwell's senior, who had held the office since 1973. Swalwell took office on January 3, 2013. ^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

Early life and education

Swalwell was born in Sac City, Iowa and raised in Dublin, California.^[6] He graduated from Dublin High School (Class of 1999).^[7]

He attended the University of Maryland, College Park on a soccer scholarship to play for the Maryland Terrapins men's soccer team. He lost the scholarship after suffering an injury.^[6] He received a bachelor's degree in Government and Politics at Maryland, and later earned his J.D. from the University of Maryland School of Law. He served on the College Park, Maryland city council as its student representative.^[8]

"I learned to never stop working. Hard work will always be rewarded. Life’s not fair, not everyone starts at the same starting point. We should strive for that, having everyone start at the same place, but I realized other people would have better opportunities because of where they came from in life, and that the only way I could overcome those advantages was to work hard."^[9]

Local political career

In 2001 and 2002, Swalwell interned for Ellen Tauscher, a United States Representative, in Washington, D.C., focusing on legislative research and constituent outreach and services.^[8] He worked as an Alameda County deputy district attorney, a Dublin planning commissioner, and a Dublin city councilman.^[6][10][5]

U.S. House of Representatives

2012 campaign

Representative Eric Swalwell on the Capitol Hill steps with friends, family, and campaign staff.

In September 2011, Swalwell filed papers to run for Congress in the 15th District. The district had previously been the 13th, represented by 20-term incumbent Pete Stark, a fellow Democrat. Stark had represented the district since 1973, seven years before Swalwell had been born. He took a leave of absence from the Dublin city council in order to run for the seat.^[6]

Swalwell was endorsed by the San Francisco Chronicle.^[10][11] During the 2012 election cycle, Swalwell was accused by the Stark campaign of being a Tea Party candidate. The accusation was refuted by Swalwell and the San Jose Mercury News, which also endorsed Swalwell.^[12] Stark refused to debate Swalwell during the campaign. In response to Stark's refusal to debate, Swalwell organized a mock debate with an actor playing Pete Stark, quoting him verbatim when answering the moderator. Other campaign gimmicks included Chinese-manufactured rubber ducks, and a dreadlocked, bearded information man. ^{[13] [14][5]} Swalwell was able to contest Stark after the primary due to a new primary system in California, under which the top two vote getters advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation.^[15]

Swalwell defeated Stark 52.1% to 47.9%. ^[16]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Transportation Security
• Committee on Science, Space and Technology
  • Subcommittee on Energy (Ranking Member)
  • Subcommittee on Oversight

Political positions

Swalwell has advocated rescinding the No Child Left Behind Act, and increasing funding for education, while decreasing funding for defense. He has also advocated for renewable energy jobs to be created with federal stimulus money. He has stated he would attempt to raise the Social Security cap, with wealthier Americans paying into the program. He has proposed the idea of a "mobile Congress," with members casting votes remotely, while spending more time in their districts.^[17] In March 2013, Swalwell led in the writing of an open letter to John S. Pistole, Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), opposing the new policy which would allow passengers to bring knives on board airplanes. ^[18] He is also a supporter of same-sex marriage and abortion rights. ^[19]

Controversies

During a house vote, Swalwell recorded a video of his vote against a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks to his mobile phone and uploaded it to Vine, an internet video service. He defended the action, stating "We operate under rules that were created in the eighteenth century, and I think it's time that the Congress start to act more like regular Americans do." His posting violated the house rules that state "No device may be used for still photography or for audio or video recording."^[20]

References

External links

• Congressman Eric Swalwell official U.S. House site
• Eric Swalwell for Congress

• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Project Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at The Library of Congress
• Brief interview with Swalwell at the University of Maryland College of Behavioral and Social Sciences website