Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.), a university alumnus, said his time as a member of the Student Government Association helped propel his political career. He is now a member of the most diverse Congress on record.
For Eric Swalwell, arriving at 9 Fraternity Row was a new beginning.
It was 2001, and the future U.S. representative had found housing for the summer at this university while he interned on Capitol Hill. As the California congressman prepares to take on his first term in the most diverse Congress on record, he remembers his days in College Park, which he said gave him his start in politics.
Swalwell began his college career playing soccer at Campbell University, a small Division I school in North Carolina. After two years, injuries threatened his athletic career and scholarship.
“I was a classic, stereotypical jock,” said Swalwell, 32. “I got injured and from there, I had to start focusing on a career.”
Then came the summer of 2001: Swalwell took up residence in College Park for what was supposed to be a three-month political jaunt, but his stay extended to two years after he applied to transfer to this university in July.
“Fortunately, I was accepted and I’m so glad I was — it changed the course of my life,” Swalwell said.
Campbell had been fine for government and politics, but he chose to attend that school for its full athletic scholarship and the opportunity to play Division I as a freshman — admittedly, he said, it had nothing to do with his career aspirations.
But politics was his calling. That call became louder during his time on this campus, and grew to a roar when terrorists hijacked American airplanes and flew them into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and a field in western Pennsylvania on Sept. 11, 2001. Swalwell joined the Student Government Association and worked long hours with school and state officials to help establish a scholarship fund for state students who had lost their parents to the attacks. The fund benefited 56 families throughout the state.
“Just knowing how hard it was for me to pay for my own tuition, and how my parents struggled, I could only imagine what would happen to someone whose parents died, who is losing an income source and a family,” Swalwell said.
Neither of his parents attended college, so when Swalwell, their eldest son, began looking at schools, the family sifted through brochures and applications together for the first time.
Swalwell often took unusual approaches to advocacy on campus issues. In response to state budget cuts on education, Swalwell led a mock funeral procession, hearse and police escort in tow. In all, 30 vehicles rode to Annapolis to symbolize the death of affordable education.
“I was addicted to the ability to help and to get things done,” he said. “I wanted to take on problems.”
In the spring, diplomacy called when city residents began to complain about student behavior. Following the university’s victory over Indiana in the 2002 NCAA Final Four, students took to the streets rioting.
Swalwell recognized the need to work with the community to repair not only the physical damage but also the school’s relationship with residents.
“I saw that there was this fracture,” he said. “The residents were rightfully upset over the way a small number of students acted. I thought if we created a student liaison position on the [College Park City Council], that would be a way to bridge that divide.”
Swalwell established the position and then served as the first city council student liaison. He called it the most educational experience he had — Swalwell learned about crafting legislation and negotiating the terms of his position.
District 3 Councilman Eric Olson, who also served at the time, remembered Swalwell’s efforts and the promise he showed at such a young age. Swalwell would add strong insights at council meetings and get out into the community, Olson said, and when he gave his word, he followed through.
“I’m extremely proud, but [Swalwell’s election] doesn’t surprise me. I knew 10 years ago that he was destined to go on to big things,” Olson said. “He really understood the issues and he worked very hard to bring the student body and the city of College Park together.”
After receiving both his bachelor’s degree and a law degree from this university, Swalwell returned to his hometown of Dublin, Calif., outside San Francisco. He went on to work in the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, serve on the Dublin City Council and coach youth soccer before running for the House against 40-year incumbent Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.).
Running on a Democratic platform, Swalwell branded himself as part of a new generation of politicians. Then 31, he was a far cry from his 81-year-old opponent, and his youthful ambition drove his initiatives and his support.
Some local politicians canceled plans to run after Stark announced he would seek another term, but not Swalwell. He earned endorsements from a long list of local personalities and area newspapers, including the San Francisco Chronicle.
Swalwell advocates what he calls a “mobile Congress”: a social media-friendly, interactive government that brings the congressional ear to the voice of the people.
Swalwell is proposing a complete technological overhaul, including remote voting, video conferencing and publishing congressional schedules online.
He also has ambitious plans for issues including education, the economy and national defense.
“He’s very down-to-earth, but in high school, he was ambitious, he was an overachiever, and I would say now that’s the same thing,” said Tim Sbranti, Dublin mayor and Swalwell’s high school economics teacher and tennis and mock trial coach, in the Chronicle.
Swalwell said he is looking forward to getting down to business in Washington. He sees it as a homecoming, returning to the area where it all began.
“I went to College Park as a congressional intern and now, to be a member of Congress, it’s kind of fitting to be back,” he said. “It’s a reunion that I welcome.”
