Representative Eric Swalwell funneled $200K from his campaign directly back to himself, claiming he used the money on childcare, According to FEC filings from 2019 to 2025.
This includes more than $22,000 in just the final three months of 2025.
In addition, three payments totaling over $6,000 were made out to his wife, Brittany Swalwell, labeled as “childcare.”
Critics say this is a deception as people do not donate to campaigns, so the candidate can spend that money on personal expenses- essentially using their campaign funds as a personal slush fund.
Campaign finance watchdogs have slammed the move saying there’s a privileged class of politicians who exploit loopholes to pay for their lifestyles with donor cash.
This isn’t Swalwell’s first controversy with campaign spending.
In fact, his FEC records show that used campaign cash for:
Nearly $22,000 on “event tickets” to the San Francisco 49ers in February 2024, labeled as fundraising.
He was at the Super Bowl where he also spent an additional $100 in campaign cash on stadium concessions.
Thousands more on luxury items like limousine services, high-end steakhouse dinners, and alcohol deliveries, prompting a 2021 FEC complaint from the American Accountability Foundation – which accused him of converting campaign funds into personal use.
Over $50,000 in total “event tickets” to NFL games, including a $1,560 disbursement for a 49ers-Eagles matchup in December 2023.
