As political stunts go, it was a bit lame.

Wearing a Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sunglasses, Eric Swalwell posed for the cameras as "Bahama Bob". His target was Maryland governor Robert Erich who, on holiday in the Bahamas, was reportedly mulling over increasing college tuition fees.

Sixteen years on Mr Swalwell, now a Californian congressman, cuts a rather more sober figure as he jostles for attention in the crowded field of Democratic presidential candidates.

In many ways he was an unlikely rebel, having been raised by Republican parents in the small suburban community of Dublin, California, 34 miles west of San Francisco.

Mr Swalwell's start in politics came when he interned with Ellen Tauscher, a Democrat congresswoman on the moderate wing of the party.

After graduating from law school, he worked as a Deputy District Attorney in Alameda County.

"I worked with him through his tenure here," said Teresa Drenick, Alameda County's Assistant District Attorney.

"He was diligent and well-liked by his colleagues. He was trustworthy to everybody, which is a really special talent. He was always well prepared when he went into a courtroom."