Local reactions to Eric Swalwell’s political swan dive go beyond dismay.
Some who donated to his campaign – including prominent Modesto and Merced leaders – want their money returned. And a local congressman who accepted contributions from Swalwell has passed them on to help women in crisis.
“To be honest, it was a sucker punch,” Modesto City Councilman Nick Bavaro said of multiple accusations that Swalwell, a leading contender in the race for California governor, sexually abused and assaulted women.
Bavaro said he took a minute to get his composure – then demanded a refund of the $5,000 he contributed to Swalwell’s Democratic campaign.
So did Stanislaus County Supervisor and Modesto businessman Mani Grewal, whose company donated $35,000.
“Disappointed. Disgusted. Discouraged,” Grewal said of his initial reaction to the news that brought Swalwell’s exit not only from the gubernatorial campaign, but also the U.S. House of Representatives.
Minutes after Swalwell’s campaign folded, Grewal added his name to a list of former supporters demanding a refund, he said, “so I can utilize it for better things than supporting an alleged abuser. I hope I get it back.”
Modesto, Turlock and Merced donors gave Swalwell $204,000
A Modesto Focus analysis of campaign finance records showed that Swalwell received a combined $204,000 from contributors in Stanislaus and Merced counties.
None gave more than Modesto’s Bill Lyons, personally and through his affiliated entities. The once-cabinet member for Govs. Gavin Newsom and Gray Davis, along with his brother Ed, contributed nearly $45,000.
“I’ve taken steps with legal representation to ask his campaign for our contributions back,” Bill Lyons told The Modesto Focus.
Bigger-money donors are more likely to lawyer up, experts say. Forbes reported that near-billionaire Stephen Cloobeck may sue to recover about $1 million donated to Swalwell’s political action committee.
Merced School Board President stands with abuse survivors
Merced City School District Board President Priya Lakireddy said she and her husband, cardiologist Vikram Lakireddy, contributed because they initially believed in Swalwell. But not anymore.
“As a survivor myself, I stand with these women. Period,” Priya Lakireddy said in a statement. “I condemn his actions and believe it is unacceptable for individuals like him to serve in Congress. We no longer support him.”
Other locals offering substantial donations to the East Bay congressman include Boyett Petroleum ($39,200), Valley Lexus’ Ryan Fitzpatrick ($10,000), Mandeep Singh Kahlon ($6,000), JBI Investment Group ($5,000) and Wendy’s of the Pacific ($5,000). They did not return messages for this article or could not be reached. A Modesto address for Coalinga Medical Center was used to contribute $39,200, though its connection to the Modesto address is unclear.
Rep. Adam Gray of Merced served as cochairman of Swalwell’s campaign from early January until news of the scandal broke on April 10.
“The moment (Gray) read the reports, he immediately severed all ties to the Swalwell campaign and called on him to end his campaign,” Kevin Porter, Gray’s communications director and a spokesman for his campaign, told The Modesto and Merced Focus in a statement.
Two days later, on April 12, Swalwell suspended his campaign for governor, and the day after that said he would resign his seat in Congress.
Another woman said Swalwell drugged, choked and raped her in 2018. Investigations were launched by Manhattan prosecutors, the federal Department of Justice and the House Ethics Committee.
Congressman Gray passes Swalwell money to local women‘s group
In recent months, Gray had introduced Swalwell to area leaders and potential donors. Gray’s campaign accepted a total of $6,500 in five contributions from Swalwell’s political action committee in 2024 and 2025.
“(Gray) directed his campaign to donate contribution money received from all of Swalwell’s campaign entities to a local women’s group in the Central Valley,” Porter added.
In separate calls with The Modesto Focus, Bavaro, Grewal and Lyons said they and other contributors met with Swalwell and came away impressed by his commitment to this area.
“We are so thirsty as a region for anybody statewide to pay attention to us that when they give it, we feel they could be right for the Valley,” said Grewal, who is running for re-election on the same June 2 ballot. He is challenged by Rally Valenzuela; see their debate with The Modesto Focus.
Lyons said Swalwell “touted his family values, ties to law enforcement, his commitment to be a moderate voice. We evaluated the people who had endorsed him, and the values he expressed gave us the feeling he would be an excellent candidate.”
Since the accusations, Lyons now feels: “Concern, betrayal, surprise. There are no winners on this.”
Garth Stapley is the accountability reporter for The Modesto Focus, a project of the nonprofit Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. Contact him at garth@themodestofocus.org.