EXCLUSIVE — Three Democrats told the Washington Examiner that they would be repurposing funds donated to them by Rep. Eric Swalwell’s (D-CA) leadership PAC as he faces allegations of sexual assault from four women.
Reps. Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Dave Min (D-CA), and Mike Levin (D-CA) all issued statements condemning Swalwell in the days after news of his alleged sexual misconduct broke late last week. After being reached by the Washington Examiner, each took their rebuke a step further by promising to remove funds donated by Swalwell’s leadership PAC from their campaign treasuries.
“In light of the horrible and credible allegations against Rep. Swalwell, Rep. Scholten will immediately distribute contributions received from Rep. Swalwell’s leadership PAC in past election cycles as bonuses among her campaign staff in recognition of the incredible contributions staffers make, and the amazing work they do,” a spokesman for the congresswoman told the Washington Examiner when asked about the donations.
Spokespeople for Min and Levin, meanwhile, informed the Washington Examiner that their campaigns would be donating Swalwell’s contributions to local charities that assist victims of domestic abuse and sexual assault.
Democrat Jordan Wood, who is running for Congress in Maine’s conservative 2nd Congressional District, said in a post to Bluesky that he would be donating Swalwell’s contribution to his campaign to a local food bank. Rebecca Cooke, a Democrat running for a Wisconsin House seat, similarly promised to give Swalwell’s donation to charity.
Some Democrats who have received financial support from Swalwell over the years have not specified what they plan to do with the funds.
Swalwell, through his leadership PAC, has cut checks to the campaigns of California Democratic House candidate Ammar Campa-Najjar, Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA), Rep. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), and Rep. Eugene Vindman (D-VA), records show. Each congressional hopeful or lawmaker has publicly denounced Swalwell but has not commented on what they intend to do with the money he sent them.
“If Democrats had any standards left, this would be an easy call,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella told the Washington Examiner. “But when it’s one of their own, accountability gets buried faster than the story. Every single vulnerable House Democrat must return the filthy creep cash or own the rot they’re protecting.”
While at least five Democrats are dipping into their campaign treasuries to redistribute Swalwell’s donations, others who have received checks from his PAC have not yet even issued statements condemning the allegations against him.
Rep. George Whitesides (D-CA), for instance, has taken $8,500 from Swalwell’s leadership PAC since 2023. As of Monday afternoon, Whitesides has not removed Swalwell from his page of endorsements, nor has he issued a statement on social media or on his campaign website condemning Swalwell.
Of the four women who have accused Swalwell of sexual misconduct, one alleges that he raped her, others say he sent them unsolicited sexual images, and another claims he kissed her and touched her leg without consent. Swalwell suspended his California gubernatorial campaign following a slew of allegations he strongly denies.
Some of the Democrats who have yet to commit to getting rid of Swalwell’s donations had strong words for the congressman.
JAYAPAL BACKS EXPELLING SWALWELL AND GONZALES OVER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS
“The accusations are absolutely heinous, and his admissions betraying his family are deplorable,” Vindman told CNN on Sunday. “Eric Swalwell needs to resign. He needs to drop out of the race … We should not tolerate this behavior, and Rep. Swalwell needs to go.”
Campa-Najjar, Harder, Whitesides, Gray, Ruiz, and Vindman did not respond to requests for comment.
