Republicans are pressing Democrats to return campaign donations tied to Eric Swalwell after allegations of sexual misconduct forced him out of the governor’s race and into resignation. Several Democratic candidates and incumbents have already sent checks back or pledged to donate the funds to charities that aid survivors. The debate now centers on who has returned money, who has not, and whether swift accountability will become a new standard.
Swalwell’s campaign collapsed quickly after multiple allegations surfaced, and prominent Democrats denounced his candidacy amid the fallout. That storm left dozens of lawmakers scrambling to account for contributions from his Remedy PAC and other associated funds. Republicans immediately seized the moment to demand that all recipients reimburse or redirect any money tied to him.
More than a dozen Democrats have publicly said they would return funds from Swalwell or donate the proceeds to survivor-focused charities, including candidates in crucial House and Senate races. Names reported to have turned back contributions include Roy Cooper, Angie Craig, Dan Goldman and Dave Min, among others running in battleground contests. Those moves were framed as damage control and a bid to stay above the political fray.
Records show Swalwell’s Remedy PAC funneled more than $20,000 to the 2024 cycle and over $170,000 to current Democrats in Congress, and most of that money now appears poised to be repaid or redirected. Several campaigns have announced plans to donate returned funds to organizations supporting victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. That seemed to be the quickest route for many who wanted to avoid prolonged headlines tied to Swalwell.
Rep. Josh Riley, viewed as vulnerable in a tight re-election race, opted to send the $3,000 he received from Swalwell to local charities, splitting the amount among three groups that support women, survivors and their families. His office said checks were already sent, signaling a rapid response that other Democrats are being urged to match. The choice underscored how campaigns are scrambling to show sensitivity and distance from the controversy.
Republicans have not held back in their criticism of those who still have Swalwell money on the books. “If Democrats had any standards left, this would be an easy call,” National Republican Congressional Committee spokesman Mike Marinella told Fox News Digital. “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.”
There has also been anger over how long some Democrats took to act once allegations began circulating. “I find it appalling that Rebecca Cooke would wait to renounce the endorsement from the disgraced Rep. Eric Swalwell until she received tremendous heat from the media,” Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a Republican running in a hotly contested primary, told Politico in reference to his Democratic opponent. That charge of political convenience rather than conviction has become a common Republican talking point.
Democrats pushed back, pointing to their own calls for accountability when Republicans face scandals, and the DCCC highlighted alleged hypocrisy when Democrats demand answers. “The hacks at the NRCC who are currently defending Cory Mills and spent six-figures just last month to protect Tony Gonzales should sit this one out,” DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton told Fox News Digital in a statement. “It’s Democrats who are actually standing up and calling for accountability in Congress — consistently and independent of party.”
The Alaska Senate race briefly became a focal point after conservative groups noted Mary Peltola received past donations from Remedy PAC and publicly pressed her for action. “Peltola has been absolutely SILENT,” Senate Leadership Fund, the top super PAC supporting Republican incumbents and candidates in the Senate, on Monday. A Peltola spokesperson said she would return earlier contributions in the form of an $8,000 donation to the Tundra Women’s Coalition and added, “Alaskans for Mary has not accepted any contributions or endorsement from Swalwell this cycle, and will be donating $8,000 – equivalent to contributions from previous cycles – to the Tundra Women’s Coalition,” and “Mary was disturbed to learn of these allegations and takes all reports of sexual assault and harassment very seriously. She believes these claims should be thoroughly investigated, and the legal system should hold responsible parties accountable.”
Other Democratic hopefuls who received smaller sums — like Ammar Campa-Najjar, who took $6,000 from Remedy PAC over several cycles — said they would donate the money to charity and disavow endorsements. Those moves are intended to close the window on lingering association and refocus campaigns on their own messages. Still, Republicans argue the pattern shows a party too slow to police its own ranks.
Swalwell announced he will resign from Congress while he denies the allegations, calling them “false,” and adding that stepping down reflects his decision to take “responsibility and ownership for the mistakes I did make.” Meanwhile, the House Ethics Committee announced Monday it is investigating Swalwell amid “allegations that he may have engaged in sexual misconduct, including towards an employee working under his supervision.” That probe and the donation controversy will likely keep attention on both individuals and the politicians who accepted his money.
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