By THE ALASKA STORY
Calls grew Friday for Eric Swalwell, ally of former Alaska Rep. Mary Peltola, to abandon his campaign for California governor after allegations surfaced from a former staff member accusing him of sexual assault, according to reporting by the San Francisco Chronicle and CNN.
Swalwell previously traveled to Juneau to campaign and raise money for Peltola during her reelection effort in 2023, at the invitation of the Tongass Democrats.
Peltola pal Eric Swalwell faces misconduct claims as he mounts campaign for California governor
The Chronicle reports that a former staff member alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her. CNN later reported that three additional women accused the California congressman of making unwanted sexual advances and sending explicit photographs. Swalwell denied the allegations in a statement Friday.
“For nearly 20 years, I have served the public — as a prosecutor and a congressman — and have always protected women,” Swalwell said. “I will defend myself with the facts and where necessary bring legal action. My focus in the coming days is to be with my wife and children and defend our decades of service against these lies.”
Multiple media outlets reported that several members of Swalwell’s staff resigned following news of the allegations.
The controversy quickly reverberated through California’s gubernatorial race. Billionaire candidate Tom Steyer praised the accuser for coming forward, writing on X that “speaking out is never easy, and her account must be taken seriously.”
Meanwhile, Chad Bianco, one of the leading Republican candidates for governor, called on Swalwell to resign from both the race and Congress.
Swalwell has been polling among the top tier of Democratic candidates in the contest, according to a recent survey from the University of California, Berkeley.
The allegations and possible removal from Congress are of interest due to Swalwell’s opposition to Alaska’s economy, which is based on resource development. During his time in Congress, he opposed expanded oil development in Alaska, including in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska. Swalwell co-sponsored the Arctic Refuge Protection Act, which sought to repeal the ANWR oil and gas leasing program and designate roughly 1.56 million acres of the coastal plain as wilderness.
Environmental scorecards from the League of Conservation Voters also note his votes against measures intended to expand drilling opportunities in Alaska. Swalwell has consistently supported policies aimed at reducing fossil fuel development, transitioning to renewable energy, and limiting offshore drilling — positions that conflict with Alaska’s oil-based economy.
His political support for Peltola came as he advanced a national energy agenda that included restrictions on new oil and gas leasing in Alaska.
Swalwell has not indicated any plans to withdraw from the governor’s race, and no charges have been filed. The allegations remain contested.
3 thoughts on “Swalwell, friend to Peltola and foe of Alaska’s economy, facing increased pressure to withdraw from campaign”
Hey Eric. How is Fang Fang doing? Did you allow her access to everything? Are you still under her control? How does it feel to be run by a spy? After you are booted out of office and possibly convicted how much are you finally going to give in to the drugs and alcohol? What a terrible excuse for a human being.
Well at least he claims to have protected women for nearly 20 years.
Isn’t that reason enough to garner a bit of self indulgence with someone who is helping to push him up to the next rung?
Sounds eerily like E. Berkobitch.