Full Breakdown
Eric Swalwell's Gubernatorial Campaign Under Scrutiny for Ties to Chinese Lawyer
2/27/2026, 10:27:23 PM
Campaign Contributions from Keliang "Clay" Zhu
Representative Eric Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign in California is facing scrutiny due to substantial financial contributions from Keliang "Clay" Zhu, a lawyer with significant ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Zhu donated $25,000 to Swalwell's campaign earlier this month, following a previous donation of $5,000 in November and over $10,000 to Swalwell's House campaigns. Zhu is a partner at DeHeng Law Offices PC, a Beijing-based law firm known for its connections to the CCP. The firm was originally established as a subsidiary of the CCP’s Ministry of Justice in the early 1990s and has a history of working closely with Chinese state-owned enterprises.
Zhu's Professional Background and Activities
Zhu's professional biography highlights his role in facilitating over $9 billion in investments from Chinese companies in various sectors, including artificial intelligence and biopharmaceuticals, within the United States. He has negotiated compliance plans with U.S. government agencies, including the Department of Commerce and the Department of Treasury, aimed at reducing compliance risks for Chinese clients. Additionally, Zhu has represented Chinese interests in legal matters, including a lawsuit that successfully halted a ban on the WeChat app during the Trump administration, which raised concerns about data privacy and national security.
Criticism and Concerns
Critics have expressed alarm over Swalwell's acceptance of donations from Zhu, emphasizing the potential implications of foreign influence in U.S. politics. Michael Lucci, a China expert, criticized Swalwell for continuing to accept funds from someone with known CCP connections, stating, "It's simply outrageous that Congressman Swalwell would take even more money from Keliang Zhu after Zhu’s connections to the CCP were made public." Concerns have also been raised about Swalwell's previous associations with Chinese national Christine Fang, who was linked to espionage efforts targeting U.S. political figures. Although Swalwell has claimed to have severed ties with Fang upon receiving warnings from intelligence officials, his past associations have led to his removal from the House Intelligence Committee by Republican leadership.
Official Statements & Responses
Neither Swalwell's campaign, DeHeng Law Offices, nor Zhu responded to inquiries regarding the donations and their implications. The ongoing scrutiny reflects broader concerns about foreign influence in American elections, particularly from nations deemed adversarial, such as China.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Swalwell has faced criticism for his connections to Zhu and past associations with Fang, there is a lack of consensus on the extent of these ties and their implications for national security. Some reports indicate that Swalwell has taken steps to distance himself from these associations, while critics argue that the financial contributions from Zhu raise significant ethical questions.
Verbatim Quotes
“Once again, Congressman Swalwell got caught with his hand in the CCP cookie jar,” — Michael Lucci, Founder and CEO of State Armor Action
“Then he was caught taking campaign money from China’s favorite big law firm.” — Michael Lucci, Founder and CEO of State Armor Action
