FEC orders ex-Rep Eric Swalwell to return $30,000

Federal election officials have ordered former California Representative Eric Swalwell to return more than $30,000 in campaign donations or face a potential audit. The Federal Election Commission issued the warning in a letter dated June 15, stating that because Swalwell is no longer a candidate for office, general election contributions must be refunded to donors.

The directive follows a review of his campaign's amended year-end financial report covering October through December 2025. The FEC attached a list of 16 contributions, totaling $30,075, that had not been remedied. Federal regulations require candidates to refund general election donations within 60 days of announcing they will not seek office. The commission set a response deadline of July 20, cautioning that failure to comply could trigger further enforcement action.

This financial scrutiny coincides with a political transition in Swalwell's former district. Voters cast ballots on Tuesday, June 16, in a special election to determine who will complete his term in the 14th Congressional District, which ends in January. The district includes East Bay cities such as Fremont, Hayward, and Livermore.