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Eric Swalwell on Principles & Values

Withdrawn Democratic Presidential Challenger; CA Rep

 


GOP weaponizes faith, need to do Christian podcasts

[On weaponizing faith]: "I made a decision after the last election, when I saw that 68% of the voters identified as Christian in one way or another, that I needed to do Christian podcasts," Swalwell said. "And I've been doing about one to two a month. I was raised as a Christian. I went to a Christian college on a soccer scholarship, but I would not talk about my faith because I thought it didn't really belong in politics. But what I've seen is that Republicans are weaponizing faith, and it's actually to our own disadvantage to not talk about it."
Source: FOX News, "Faith," on 2026 California Gubernatorial race , Jul 22, 2025

Biden said 32 years ago "pass the torch" to new generation

We must always be a county where technology creates more jobs than it displaces. I was 6 years old when a presidential candidate came to the California Democratic Convention and said it's time to pass the torch to a new generation of Americans. That candidate was then-Senator Joe Biden. Joe Biden was right when he said it 32 years ago. He is still right today.

If we are going to solve the issues of automation, pass the torch. If we are going to solve the issues of climate chaos, pass the torch. If we're going to solve the issue of student loan debt, pass the torch. If we're going to end gun violence for families who are fearful of sending their kids to school, pass the torch.

Source: June Democratic Primary debate (second night in Miami) , Jun 27, 2019

Democrats must look to the future, not the past

We can't be a forward-looking party if we look to the past. I'm a father of a 2-year-old and an infant. When I'm not changing diapers, I'm changing Washington. Most of the time, the diapers smell better. I have led the effort to elect the next generation of members of Congress. This is the generation that will end climate chaos. This is the generation that will solve student loan debt. This is the generation that will end gun violence. This generation demands bold solutions.
Source: June Democratic Primary debate (second night in Miami) , Jun 27, 2019

If you work hard it adds up to dreaming bigger

Swalwell says about running for president, "I think I could be a candidate who would make sure that if you work hard it adds up to doing better and dreaming bigger. That's why I'm considering it."

Ye gods. If you work hard it adds up to dreaming bigger? Eric Swalwell, what does that mean? Making it even worse is that this is apparently not just something that slipped out of his mouth: It's an Eric Swalwell catchphrase. Here he is last November:

@RepSwalwell: "The economy is NOT the stock market, the unemployment rate, or GDP. It's YOU. Are you doing better, saving more, and looking at your kids and dreaming bigger? This @MarketWatch story shows for 3 out of 4 of us, the economy is not working. Let's make it work for ALL. #TrumpSlump"

And last April at a speech in Iowa: "The economy is you. It's how you're doing. Whether you're saving more, doing better, and dreaming bigger."

Source: Slate, "Most Vapid Sound Bite," on 2020 Democratic primary , Apr 3, 2019

Religious freedom means no religious registry.

Swalwell signed opposing a religious registry

Congressional Summary: Notwithstanding any other provision of the immigration laws, an alien may not be denied admission to the United States because of the alien`s religion or lack of religious beliefs.

Argument Opposed: [Countable.us]: `The U.S. should reserve the right to ban immigrants based on religion. The government may need to enact such a ban in response to a future acts of terror, which could save American lives.`

Argument In Favor: [Cato Institute, Dec. 8, 2016]: Donald Trump proposed prohibiting all Muslim immigration; then specified `suspending immigration from nations tied to Islamic terror.` He said, `People are pouring in from regions of the Middle East,` but that he would `stop that dead, cold flat,` during his first day in office. However, under current law, it is illegal to discriminate against immigrants based on their national origin. For almost a decade, Congress debated creating an immigration system free from discrimination by nationality, country of birth, or country of residence. President-elect Trump, however, now proposes to discriminate unlawfully against certain foreign nationals on the basis of the same protected grounds without any legislation from Congress.

Source: Protect American Families Act 16-HR5207 on May 12, 2016

Question Trump on Emoluments clause.

Swalwell signed questioning Trump on Emoluments clause

Excerpts from Letter from 17 Senators to Trump Organization: The Trump Organization`s continuing financial relationship with President Trump raises concerns about whether it is a pass-through for income that violates the Constitution`s two Emoluments Clauses: Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 on foreign Emoluments; and Article II, Clause 7 on domestic Emoluments. Please answer the following questions to help Congress understand:

Legal Analysis: (Cato Institute, `Emoluments Clause vs. Trump Empire,` 11/29/16): The wording of the Emoluments clause points one way to resolution: Congress can give consent, as it did in the early years of the Republic to presents received by Ben Franklin. It can decide what it is willing to live with in the way of Trump conflicts. If it misjudges public opinion, it will pay a political price at the next election.

FOIA argument: (ACLU Center for Democracy, `FOIA Request,` 1/19/17): We filed our first Freedom of Information Act request of the Trump Era, seeking documents relating President Trump`s conflicts of interest relating to his business connections. When Trump took the oath of office, he didn`t take the steps necessary to ensure that he and his family`s business interests comply with the Constitution. Some have even argued that upon taking the oath of office, the new president is already violating the Emoluments Clause.

Source: Letter from 17 Senators 17LTR-EMOL on May 18, 2017

Certify 2020 Presidential election as fully & fairly counted.

Swalwell voted NAY blocking certification of the Electoral vote

Explanation of 1/6/21 Electoral Certification, by Emily Brooks, Washington Examiner:Sen. Ted Cruz and Rep. Paul Gosar led an objection to counting Electoral College votes from the state of Arizona, the first formal objection to state results in a series of moves that will delay the certification of Joe Biden as the winner of the 2020 presidential election over President Trump. Cruz is advocating for an `emergency 10-day audit` of election returns in disputed states. The usually ceremonial joint session of Congress that convenes to count and accept Electoral College votes will be put on hold as the House and Senate separately debate the objection.