In a growing scandal, Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) faces scrutiny over extravagant campaign expenditures tied to childcare. His recent financial activities raise serious questions about the legality and appropriateness of using campaign funds for what many see as personal expenses.
Swalwell, who has served in Congress since 2013 and previously attempted a presidential run in 2019, is now aiming for the California governorship. As he navigates this new landscape, his campaign spending has sparked alarm, particularly concerning childcare costs. Research by Fox News Digital uncovered that from 2019 to 2025, Swalwell spent an astonishing $200,000 on childcare. Notably, $22,000 of that sum was shelled out for just three months of childcare from October to December 2025.
The issues deepen as his gubernatorial campaign has also been caught up in these questionable financial maneuvers. Records indicate that the campaign funneled over $6,000 to his wife, Brittany Swalwell. Additionally, an individual named Amanda Barbosa received $102,000 from Swalwell’s campaign. Barbosa opened her childcare business just one month prior to receiving her first payment, suggesting a potentially cozy relationship with the Swalwell family. She has been seen with the family in various settings, including a trip to Disney World.
Childcare expenses alone aren’t the only concern. Swalwell’s campaign also made substantial payments to a Washington, D.C., daycare, Bambini Play & Learn Child Development Center, totaling over $57,000. The hefty tuition fees for such facilities often reach thousands of dollars monthly—another indication of lavish spending. Further complicating matters, the campaign reimbursed Swalwell nearly $10,000 for payroll taxes related to campaign childcare, along with additional payments for “childcare for campaign events” and miscellaneous childcare-related costs.
Under federal law, campaign funds cannot be used for personal expenses. However, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) has allowed funding for childcare directly related to campaign duties since 2018. This begs the question: how are so many months of childcare expenses justified as necessary for campaign activity? Such discrepancies put Swalwell and his team in a precarious position, with scrutiny intensifying over the reasoning behind these expenditures.
Allen Mendenhall from the Heritage Foundation weighed in on the scandal, highlighting the broader implications of allowing candidates to utilize campaign funds for personal needs. He pointed out that childcare costs are often faced by many individuals, saying, “It’s an expense that candidates with young children will incur regardless of whether they’re in a campaign.” He cautioned against creating a “special class of politicians who are insulated from normal constraints, ordinary constraints that everybody else has to deal with.”
As Swalwell navigates these turbulent waters, this scandal not only threatens his gubernatorial aspirations but also raises questions about accountability and ethical standards within political campaigns. Observers will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds and whether the repercussions will impact his political future.
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