Donald L. Sherwood served as a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Pennsylvania’s 10th congressional district, from 1999 to 2006. A scathing sex scandal damaged his reputation and eventually led to his defeat in the General Election in November 2006 by Chris Carney.

  Sherwood won the Republican nomination in 1998. He won the general election that year defeating Democrat Patrick Casey by 515 votes. He got re-elected again in 2000. Trouble accosted Sherwood when on 15 September 2004 a woman named Cynthia Ore called the police from the bathroom of his apartment. She alleged Sherwood of chocking her, which he denied. The police due to inadequate information by both parties filed no case. 

Veronica Hannevig, who ran against Sherwood on the Constitution Party ticket in 2004, distributed a copy of the police report to several newspapers and television stations. Sherwood admitted having a five year extra marital affair with Ore but denied abusing her. Ore also filed a lawsuit, which was mutually settled under unknown terms.

Democrat Chris Carney, used the scandal in the re-election to his advantage. He used it in a TV ad and said that it cut at the core values of the district. Sherwood tried to defend himself in a counter TV ad but was eventually defeated by Carney.