Democratic Candidates Grapple with Swalwell Endorsements and Donations

Fallout continues as former congressman's PAC quietly scrubs his name amid sexual assault allegations

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:37am

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A dimly lit, cinematic painting of an empty political office space, with a single desk and chair in the center of the frame, bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of solitude and the aftermath of a political scandal.The quiet aftermath of a political scandal, as candidates wrestle with the fallout from a disgraced former congressman's endorsements and donations.Orange Today

Congressional candidates across the nation are navigating how to handle endorsements and donations from disgraced former congressman Eric Swalwell, whose political action committee recently removed mentions of him from its website. Swalwell, a California Democrat, is facing accusations of sexual assault by multiple women, making him a politically toxic figure. While some candidates have renounced Swalwell's support and returned his PAC's donations, others have remained silent on the issue, leaving questions about their stance.

Why it matters

The Swalwell scandal highlights the difficult position Democratic candidates find themselves in, having to decide whether to distance themselves from a once-prominent party figure accused of serious misconduct. This dilemma underscores the broader challenges facing the Democratic Party as it grapples with issues of sexual harassment and abuse within its own ranks.

The details

Swalwell's own political action committee, the Future Forum PAC, which he founded in 2015 to support a younger generation of Democratic leaders, has quietly scrubbed mentions of him from its website. At least 50 Democratic candidates are still touting endorsements from the PAC, though a few are beginning to return money from the committee. Others have stayed silent on the Swalwell news. Rebecca Cooke, a congressional candidate in Wisconsin, renounced Swalwell's endorsement and donated the $1,000 she received from the PAC to charity. In Swalwell's own California delegation, U.S. Rep. Dave Min and California Congressman Derek Tran have also donated Swalwell's contributions to their campaigns.

  • In 2015, Swalwell founded the Future Forum PAC.
  • In 2020, Swalwell challenged future President Joe Biden to 'pass the torch' during his failed presidential campaign.
  • In April 2026, the Future Forum PAC quietly scrubbed mentions of Swalwell from its website.

The players

Eric Swalwell

A former Democratic congressman from California who is facing accusations of sexual assault by multiple women, making him a politically toxic figure.

Future Forum PAC

A political action committee founded by Swalwell in 2015 to support a younger generation of Democratic leaders, which has recently removed mentions of Swalwell from its website.

Rebecca Cooke

A congressional candidate in Wisconsin who renounced Swalwell's endorsement and donated the $1,000 she received from the Future Forum PAC to charity.

Dave Min

A U.S. Representative from California who donated a $4,000 contribution from the Future Forum PAC to an Orange County non-profit that assists survivors of sexual assault.

Derek Tran

A California Congressman who plans to donate Swalwell's contributions from the Future Forum PAC.

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What they’re saying

“Democrats are pretending to condemn Eric Swalwell while still touting his endorsement and welcoming his money. Democrats are betraying millions of constituents and women by tolerating rape and sexual abuse if they can personally profit.”

— Republican National Committee spokesperson

“Given the seriousness of the allegations made against him, I am not comfortable with this, so I have donated this contribution to Waymakers, an Orange County non-profit that assists survivors of sexual assault.”

— Dave Min, U.S. Representative from California

“I was appalled by the allegations, and will donate the $1,000 I received from the PAC this election cycle to food and shelter charities.”

— Rebecca Cooke, Congressional candidate in Wisconsin

What’s next

Questions linger for candidates who have not said anything regarding Swalwell or the Future Forum PAC, as they will need to decide how to handle the endorsements and donations from the disgraced former congressman.

The takeaway

The Swalwell scandal underscores the difficult position Democratic candidates find themselves in, having to navigate the fallout from accusations against a once-prominent party figure. This dilemma highlights the broader challenges facing the Democratic Party as it grapples with issues of sexual misconduct within its own ranks.