Dr. Paula Swift today officially announced her candidacy for the California State Assembly in District 70, pledging to deliver practical, people-centered solutions that make daily life more affordable, equitable, and just for families across California.

Dr. Swift, a native Californian, educator, and small business owner, has spent more than two decades working across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors. As CEO of her consulting firm she has partnered with government agencies, schools, and community organizations to reduce inequities, strengthen operations, and increase access to essential services.

“For too many Californians, the cost of living, lack of access to resources, and gaps in our public systems have made it harder and harder to get by,” Dr. Swift said. “I’m running for State Assembly because our communities deserve leadership that listens and delivers real solutions, not slogans.”

A longtime advocate for foster youth and domestic violence survivors, Dr. Swift has dedicated over twenty years to improving outcomes for children and families in the foster care system. Her own experience of surviving domestic violence and gun violence that claimed the life of her four-year-old son fueled her determination to fight for every person overlooked, unheard, or left behind by the government meant to protect them. Her work has focused on increasing stability, expanding mental health and educational supports, and strengthening long-term opportunities for youth impacted by trauma.

“California’s policies have the power to uplift vulnerable communities—or leave them behind,” Dr. Swift said. “In the Assembly, I will prioritize the needs of foster youth, working families, and all those who have been overlooked by systems meant to support them.”

Dr. Swift’s policy priorities include:

• Lowering costs for working families, including housing, childcare, and health care

• Strengthening public education, mental health services, and youth programs

• Advancing clean energy and climate resilience

• Protecting reproductive freedom, voting rights, and civil rights

Dr. Swift holds a Bachelor of Arts from Azusa Pacific University, a Master of Communication Management, and a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.

A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she embodies a lifelong commitment to leadership, service, and community empowerment. She and her husband are the proud parents of three adult children and a cherished Cane Corso.

Assembly District 70 includes Fountain Valley, Garden Grove, Los Alamitos, Midway City, Rossmoor, Stanton, Westminster, and portions of Huntington Beach, Santa Ana, and Seal Beach.

Dr. Swift was previously a candidate for Congress in California’s 40^th district before Prop. 50 passed.

The Primary Election will take place on June 2, 2026.

Learn more at: VotePaulaSwift.com

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