US Congress California District 15 Candidate: Eric Swalwell
- By : Guest Voice
- Category : 2014 Candidate Statements
Eric Swalwell is a candidate for US Congress in California District 15 in the 2014 General Election. Castro Valley Matters reached out to each candidate and asked for a statement.
Since being elected to Congress in 2012, my top priority has been creating good paying local jobs. It would be an honor to be re-elected as your representative and keep advocating for the needs of our communities – like Castro Valley – in Congress.
While our economy is rebounding, the long-term unemployment rate remains at unacceptable levels in the East Bay. That’s why I worked with the dedicated staff and volunteers at the Castro Valley Library to host a workshop for unemployed and underemployed workers and connect them with the resources needed to find employment opportunities in the East Bay.
We can’t just stop there. We need an all-hands-on-deck approach for sustainable job creation. Many of our communities, particularly unincorporated areas like Castro Valley, suffered when the state of California closed all 400 of its redevelopment agencies. Redevelopment has made it possible for our communities to thrive, and many local projects have since stalled or ended all-together.
To reverse this decline, I introduced the Restarting Local Economies Act to bring back redevelopment funding by making it easier for California communities like Castro Valley to obtain federal redevelopment funds, bolstering economic development and creating good local jobs.
As I advocate in Washington for policies that will help grow the middle class and create good-paying jobs, I also aim to be accessible to my constituents. This includes hosting frequent town halls, events like “Ice Cream with your Congressman” at Knudsen’s, and participating in community events such as Castro Valley Pride, the Education Foundation Dynamic Dinner, and the Rowell Ranch Rodeo Parade.
And this promise to serve you spans the distance. Earlier this year, I was invited to read to Ms. Cano’s second grade class at Vannoy Elementary School in honor of Read Across America Week. But, that day I had to be in Washington, DC for votes. So thanks to video chat, I still had the pleasure of reading to the kids and answering their questions – 3,000 miles away.
To learn more about my work for the East Bay, I invite you to visit www.SwalwellforCongress.com or join me on Twitter @EricSwalwell or Facebook at Facebook.com/SwalwellforCongress. Please also do not hesitate to let me know how I can better assist you or if you have any questions.
It is my distinct honor to represent communities like Castro Valley in the East Bay. Thank you for granting me the opportunity to serve.
Thank you Congressman for your thoughts. Hopefully when you reintroduce H.R. 3518 (The Restarting Local Economies Act) next session, you can insert some specific verbage that says Unincorporated Communities may apply for Federal Grants and funding as easily as Incorporated Cities can. Being able to specifically obtain funds and target them at just Castro Valley (instead of Alameda County as a whole,) would be an immensely valuable tool for Unincorporated Towns nationwide!