Eric Swalwell’s diverse donor list includes not only prominent figures from Hollywood and the corporate world but also everyday Californians. His supporters range from influential elites to regular citizens.
An analysis by the California Post of publicly available records revealed that more than 1,700 individuals contributed to Swalwell’s campaign. These contributions varied widely, from modest amounts of $100 to substantial donations exceeding $78,000.
Swalwell, who was formerly a leading Democratic contender for the governor’s seat in California, resigned from his congressional position last Tuesday. This decision followed a series of allegations, including serious accusations of rape, sexual assault, and other misconduct.
The Post’s examination of Swalwell’s financial records indicates he amassed over $7.3 million through contributions from approximately 1,700 donors.
Swalwell secured significant funding from Hollywood celebrities and special interest groups, all while maintaining an image that misled many working-class supporters into contributing their hard-earned money.
The unraveling of Swalwell’s campaign came after two explosive reports surfaced last week, recounting incidents of unsettling and allegedly sexually violent behavior. Adding to these claims, another woman recently accused him of drugging, choking, and raping her, further damaging his reputation and prospects.
Last week, two bombshell reports detailed the stories of women who say Swalwell exhibited creepy and sometimes sexually violent and deviant behavior, putting an end to his campaign and likely his career. On Tuesday, another woman publicly accused Swalwell of drugging, choking and raping her.
Swalwell has strenuously denied allegations of rape and sexual assault, but he apolgized to his wife over indiscretions that he has so far declined to detail.
Swalwellâs most prominent backers included Hollywood A-listers like Robert De Niro and Jon Hamm â both of whom gave $10,000 â while Sean Penn gave $15,000. Others who plunked down thousands of dollars believing the hype included the late actor and director Rob Reiner ($10K), actors Jon Cryer ($10K) and Ed Helms ($5K), and Bryan Lourd, CEO of Creative Artists Agency ($12,500).
Additional cash infusions came from power players like billionaire Ari Emanuel â the CEO of TKO Group Holdings group gave $39,200 â and investor and talent agent Michael Kives ($10,900). Comedian Kathy Griffin also scraped together $10,000.
Most of the max contributions of $39,200 came from special interests PACs like the California Medical Association, California Dental Association, California Professional Firefighters, California Dairies Inc. and the California New Car Dealers Association PAC.
Money also poured in from businessmen such as venture capitalist Bradley Tusk ($39,200) and Jon Henes ($5K), CEO of C Street Advisory Group, while Elizabeth Naftali ($39K) â a Los Angeles philanthropist and major Democratic donor â funded Swalwellâs campaign along with longtime San Francisco attorney and AI advisor Karen Silverman ($10K).
But Swalwell’s defunct campaign wasnât just fueled by big donors falsely believing his tale of a devoted family man who would fight for others with integrity. Nearly half of Swalwell’s reported donors gave less than $200 â meaning the congressman may have taken money from people who could really use that cash but believed in the cause.
Swalwellâs abrupt exit leaves his network of donors â from Hollywood elites to working Janes and Joes â searching for a new candidate in a crowded field and volatile race.
