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.
13 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.
Do you mean Buttkowitz?
Couldn’t happen to a nicer guy! Taken down by his own side too.
This the democrat party doing democrat party things. Remember how they pulled Biden and substituted Kamala without a single vote of the people? The stunt took place a few seconds after they decided that Biden couldn’t win.
Similar thing going on here. The jungle primary for Governor has a pair of Republicans in the lead. Under their “system”, the top two make it to the runoff. Swalwell was the highest polling democrat. His sexual peccadillos have been known since he was a city council member way at the beginning of his odious political career. Like Biden, he was supported as long as he was useful. Like Biden, he was casually tossed aside the instant he was no longer useful.
I expect Katie Porter, another democrat piece to be next up for removal, with the party coalescing around Tom Steyer or someone else they think they can control. Shouldn’t be much of a surprise. A political party doing everything in its power to centralize its control of our daily lives is discovered centrally controlling who their candidates can or cannot be. Cheers –
Gimarc, compare your claim, “ . A political party doing everything in its power to centralize its control of our daily lives” to the destruction of the Trump regime on our daily lives.
Evan, compare your posts to a virus. You infiltrate The Alaska Story with intent to stupefy the readers. But alas, the logic and intellect of the vast majority of Downing’s audience will always prevail.
Maybe MSNBC-NOW readers can use your posts. What color is the sky in your upside down world?
If I was as diplomatic as agimarc, I’d not reply to you either, but maybe I’m half as stupid as you!
Four women have come forward to accuse Eric Swalwell of sexual harassment. Sources say that it will take at least 5 more for the congressman to obtain Donald Trump‘s endorsement in the California gubernatorial primary.
Wasn’t Swalwell hooking up with Peltola when his main squeezes were busy? Peltola is good for a quick fill-in. Two bagger.
Three better.
“The View” are not credible sources. Keep looking.
This crap underlines the difference between the Left and the Right. When a democrat is (apparently) guilty of sexual dooshbaggery, the democrats can his ass. When Donald trump brags about pussy grabbing, is convicted of rape, is delighted to fondle and be fondled by young women, THE RIGHT ELECTS THE FUCKER AS PRESIDENT!
No wonder Republicans will lose big in November, including our own quiet corner-sitter Sullivan.