Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Paula Swift
From Ballotpedia
Paula Swift (Democratic Party) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent California's 40th Congressional District. She declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Swift completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Paula Swift was born in California. She earned a bachelor's degree from Azusa Pacific University, a graduate degree from the University of Southern California, a Ph.D. from the University of Southern California. Her career experience includes working as a business owner.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: California's 40th Congressional District election, 2026
Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for U.S. House California District 40
The following candidates are running in the general election for U.S. House California District 40 on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Young Kim (R) | |
 | Christina Gagnier (D) | |
 | Joe Kerr (D) | |
 | Nina Linh (D) | |
 | Perry Meade (D) | |
| Christian Mendez (D) | ||
| Lisa Ramirez (D) | ||
 | Paula Swift (D)  | |
 | Esther Kim Varet (D) | |
| Maricar Payad (American Independent Party) | ||
| Christian Ahmed (No party preference) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Paula Swift completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Swift's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
| Collapse all
Dr. Paula Swift is a dedicated public servant and a proud wife and mother who has experienced firsthand both the promise and the pitfalls of the American Dream. Now, she is running for Congress in California’s 40th District to be a true representative for the people—someone who listens, understands, and takes action to create a better future for all.
Raised with a value system based on hard work, faith, and service, Paula, a native Californian, put herself through school while raising a family. These academic achievements aren’t just credentials—they are the tools she uses daily to solve complex problems, build coalitions, and inspire others to lead with vision and compassion.
Paula’s professional career spans two decades across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. As CEO of her consulting firm, she has worked with government agencies, educational institutions, small businesses, and corporate leaders to drive meaningful, measurable change. Her experience has taught her how systems work—and how to fix them when they don’t serve the people they were created for.- I will work to build a strong economy that puts working families first, where wages keep up with the cost of living, small businesses can thrive, and no one has to choose between paying rent or putting food on the table. That means fighting for good-paying jobs, affordable childcare, fair taxes, and better opportunities for all. Our economy should work for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
- because the health of our planet affects all of us. We need cleaner air, safe water, and green spaces for our families and future generations. That means investing in renewable energy, reducing pollution, and protecting natural resources. I’m committed to practical solutions that support healthier communities and a more sustainable future.
- I will fight to protect Social Security and Medicare because our seniors deserve the benefits they’ve earned through a lifetime of hard work. These programs ones we must keep. I’ll oppose any effort to cut or privatize them and work to strengthen them for future generations. No one should have to worry about affording healthcare or retirement after spending their lives contributing to our country.
I’m deeply passionate about public policies that protect and support children in foster care. Each year, over 20,000 young people age out of the system without a permanent family or support network, many facing homelessness, unemployment, or incarceration. I believe we must invest in wraparound services that support families before a crisis occurs, helping to prevent unnecessary placements. By strengthening family stability, we can reduce trauma and create better outcomes for children.
An elected official must lead with integrity, accountability, and a deep commitment to public service. It’s essential to listen with empathy, act with transparency, and make decisions based on what’s best for the people, not special interests. I believe a true leader stays connected to their community, shows up in difficult moments, and works tirelessly to deliver real, lasting change.
I bring a deep sense of purpose, integrity, and a lifelong commitment to service, qualities that I believe are essential for any successful officeholder. I listen first, lead with compassion, and never shy away from tough conversations or hard work.
My background in community advocacy and strategic leadership has taught me how to bring people together, solve complex problems, and stay focused on what truly matters: delivering real results for the people I serve. I show up, I follow through, and I lead with both heart and accountability.
My background in community advocacy and strategic leadership has taught me how to bring people together, solve complex problems, and stay focused on what truly matters: delivering real results for the people I serve. I show up, I follow through, and I lead with both heart and accountability.
I want to leave a legacy of service, impact, and integrity. one rooted in the belief that government should be a force for good. I hope to be remembered as someone who truly listened, showed up when it mattered, and fought tirelessly to make life better for everyday families. No matter where I go in life, I will never forget that I am the daughter of parents who survived the Jim Crow South. Their strength, resilience, and values guide me every step of the way. I will always remain grounded in that truth, and I will always be accessible to the people I serve. If I can lead with compassion, inspire others to take action, and help bring about meaningful, lasting change, that will be a legacy I’m proud to leave behind.
The first historical event I clearly remember was the Iran hostage crisis. I was around 10 years old at the time, and I remember watching the news with my family and seeing the images of the American hostages and the nightly updates.
Even at that young age, I could sense how serious it was. It was one of the first times I realized how connected we are to the rest of the world and how global events can deeply impact people here at home.
Even at that young age, I could sense how serious it was. It was one of the first times I realized how connected we are to the rest of the world and how global events can deeply impact people here at home.
What was your first job?
My first job was an after-school position during high school at Sears Roebuck in their customer service department. I assisted customers with appliance delivery updates, tracking orders, answering questions, and helping resolve any issues that came up. I was there for about two to three months, but it was a meaningful experience. It taught me the value of clear communication, patience, and the importance of listening, skills that have consistently built upon ever since.
My first job was an after-school position during high school at Sears Roebuck in their customer service department. I assisted customers with appliance delivery updates, tracking orders, answering questions, and helping resolve any issues that came up. I was there for about two to three months, but it was a meaningful experience. It taught me the value of clear communication, patience, and the importance of listening, skills that have consistently built upon ever since.
One of my favorite books is Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. I first connected with it not just for its beautiful storytelling, but because I saw so much of my own life reflected in its pages. Like the March sisters, I grew up with three sisters, each of us with our own distinct personalities, dreams, and challenges, but bound by love, loyalty, and a strong family foundation. The book captures the power of sisterhood, resilience, and finding your voice, all of which have shaped who I am today. It’s a story that continues to inspire me to lead with heart, purpose, and authenticity.
“Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
One of the greatest struggles in my life was losing my son to gun violence. There are no words to fully capture that kind of pain. It changed me forever. But in the midst of that unimaginable loss, I found a deeper strength and sense of purpose. It built in me a perseverance and determination that fuels everything I do today. I carry my son’s memory with me in every room I walk into, and it’s part of why I’m so committed to creating safer communities, advocating for justice, and standing up for those who feel unseen or unheard. That pain became my power, and it drives me to serve with compassion, courage, and unwavering resolve.
I believe that while experience in government can be helpful, it’s not what qualifies someone to lead. In fact, what we’ve seen in Washington lately proves that too much time in politics can do more harm than good.
Many career politicians have become completely disconnected from the people they’re supposed to serve. They often prioritize party loyalty, special interests, or personal gain over real service. That’s not leadership, that’s self-preservation.
Over the next decade, I believe the United States’ greatest challenges will be addressing economic inequality, rebuilding trust in democratic institutions, and responding to the climate crisis. Too many families are working hard but still can’t afford basic necessities. At the same time, polarization and disinformation are eroding civic engagement and public trust.
We also face urgent environmental threats that demand bold, collaborative solutions. Meeting these challenges will require honest leadership, real accountability, and a commitment to policies that put people first.
We also face urgent environmental threats that demand bold, collaborative solutions. Meeting these challenges will require honest leadership, real accountability, and a commitment to policies that put people first.
Yes, I believe compromise is both necessary and desirable for effective policymaking. In a diverse nation like ours, finding common ground is essential to making progress and passing legislation that serves the broadest number of people.
However, at no time should compromise come at the expense of the rule of law, our Constitution, or the fundamental rights of any group. Productive compromise means working together with integrity, staying rooted in our values, and ensuring that all actions taken in government remain lawful, ethical, and just.
However, at no time should compromise come at the expense of the rule of law, our Constitution, or the fundamental rights of any group. Productive compromise means working together with integrity, staying rooted in our values, and ensuring that all actions taken in government remain lawful, ethical, and just.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign finance summary
Campaign finance information for this candidate is not yet available from the Federal Elections Commission. That information will be published here once it is available.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on May 24, 2025
Senators
Alex Padilla (D)
Adam Schiff (D)
Representatives
District 1
Doug LaMalfa (R)
District 2
Jared Huffman (D)
District 3
Kevin Kiley (R)
District 4
Mike Thompson (D)
District 5
Tom McClintock (R)
District 6
Ami Bera (D)
District 7
Doris Matsui (D)
District 8
John Garamendi (D)
District 9
Josh Harder (D)
District 10
Mark DeSaulnier (D)
District 11
Nancy Pelosi (D)
District 12
Lateefah Simon (D)
District 13
Adam Gray (D)
District 14
Eric Swalwell (D)
District 15
Kevin Mullin (D)
District 16
Sam Liccardo (D)
District 17
Ro Khanna (D)
District 18
Zoe Lofgren (D)
District 19
Jimmy Panetta (D)
District 20
Vince Fong (R)
District 21
Jim Costa (D)
District 22
David Valadao (R)
District 23
Jay Obernolte (R)
District 24
Salud Carbajal (D)
District 25
Raul Ruiz (D)
District 26
Julia Brownley (D)
District 27
District 28
Judy Chu (D)
District 29
Luz Rivas (D)
District 30
Laura Friedman (D)
District 31
Gil Cisneros (D)
District 32
Brad Sherman (D)
District 33
Pete Aguilar (D)
District 34
Jimmy Gomez (D)
District 35
Norma Torres (D)
District 36
Ted Lieu (D)
District 37
District 38
Linda Sánchez (D)
District 39
Mark Takano (D)
District 40
Young Kim (R)
District 41
Ken Calvert (R)
District 42
Robert Garcia (D)
District 43
Maxine Waters (D)
District 44
Nanette Barragán (D)
District 45
Derek Tran (D)
District 46
Lou Correa (D)
District 47
Dave Min (D)
District 48
Darrell Issa (R)
District 49
Mike Levin (D)
District 50
Scott Peters (D)
District 51
Sara Jacobs (D)
District 52
Juan Vargas (D)
Democratic Party (45)
Republican Party (9)
