East Bay Congressman Drops Out Of Presidential Race

EAST BAY AREA — An East Bay congressman has officially ended his run for the oval office. Rep. Eric Swalwell announced Monday that he is dropping his presidential bid and will instead seek a fifth term in the House during the 2020 election.

"Today ends our presidential campaign, but it is the beginning of a new opportunity in Congress with a new perspective shaped by the lives that have touched mine and the campaign throughout these last three months," Swalwell said.

The 38-year-old had been lagging in the polls and becomes the second democratic candidate to officially exit the race; former West Virginia state Sen. Richard Ojeda was the first to do so on January 25.

Last month, Swalwell told The Hill that he would be pragmatic about his run. "We need this field to start shrinking so candidates can distinguish themselves," he said. "I hope to be part of the field as it shrinks. If I don't, I'm going to be realistic about my options."

Swalwell was elected to the U.S. House in November 2012, defeating incumbent Pete Stark (D), a 40-year incumbent. Before being elected, Swalwell served as a local appointee on Dublin commissions and served one term on the Dublin City Council. A former Alameda County prosecutor and current member of the House Intelligence and Judiciary committees, he is a dogged critic of President Trump.

— Patch editors Toni McAllister and Bea Karnes contributed to this story

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