Daniel Swanson was born on July 30, 1959, in Woodhull, Illinois. He is a family farmer and a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the Illinois Army National Guard. He attended Black Hawk East and Western Illinois University.
Before his political career, Swanson served on the AlWood (Alpha and Woodhull) Board of Education, the Henry County Board, and was the Superintendent of the Henry County Veterans Assistance Commission. His career experience includes working as a farmer. He is married and has two adult sons.
Swanson is a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 74th district which includes Mercer, Henry, Knox, Bureau, and Lee counties in western Illinois. He assumed office on January 11, 2017.
As of July 3, 2022, Representative Swanson is a member of the following Illinois House committees: Agriculture & Conservation Committee, Appropriations - Public Safety Committee, Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies, Firefighters and First Responders Subcommittee, Mental Health & Addiction Committee, Police & Fire Committee, Transportation: Vehicles & Safety Committee, and Veterans’ Affairs Committee.
In 2023, he assumed office as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing District 71. His current term ends on January 8, 2025. Swanson is running for re-election to the Illinois House of Representatives to represent District 71. He is on the ballot in the Republican primary on March 19, 2024.
