Rebecca Cooke, a Democrat challenging U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden in western Wisconsin’s competitive district, is casting aside an endorsement from U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell as he faces allegations of sexual assault and plans to reroute his donations to charities.
Cooke, in an April 12 statement, said she is “appalled by the allegations about Eric Swalwell and proud of these women for their courage to come forward.”
“I no longer acknowledge the Congressman’s endorsement and will be donating his campaign contributions to five charities across western Wisconsin providing food and shelter to Wisconsinites in need as prices continue to squeeze families across Wisconsin,” Cooke said.
The San Francisco Chronicle and CNN published reports detailing accusations from a former staffer and three other women against Swalwell, triggering calls from Democrats to suspend his campaign for governor in California.
Swalwell denied the allegations in a social media video posted April 10. He acknowledged past “mistakes in judgment” but said those were personal matters involving his family, not criminal conduct.
According to campaign finance records from the Federal Election Commission, Cooke’s campaign received five donations from Remedy PAC, each for $1,000, between August 2024 and September 2025. Swalwell launched Remedy PAC in 2020; Cooke’s campaign is featured on its website.
Cooke’s campaign said she will funnel those donations, totaling $5,000, to Stepping Stones, St. Francis Food Pantry, Second Harvest – Southwest Wisconsin, Wafer Food Pantry and Adams Food Pantry.
Her campaign website no longer lists an endorsement from Swalwell but includes other members of Congress, including U.S. Sens. Tammy Baldwin, Bernie Sanders and Elissa Slotkin.
Cooke, a nonprofit owner and waitress, is making her third run for the seat held by Van Orden, which flipped red in 2022 for the first time in 26 years. She faces Eau Claire City Council President Emily Berge in an Aug. 11 primary.
Cooke outraised her opponents in the state’s October-to-December filing period, but Van Orden brought in more money over the course of 2025.
USA TODAY contributed to this story. Hope Karnopp can be reached at HKarnopp@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Rebecca Cooke shuns Swalwell endorsement, plans to give his donations to charity
Reporting by Hope Karnopp, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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