Full Breakdown
Eric Swalwell's Controversial College Writings Resurface Amid Gubernatorial Bid
2/17/2026, 1:50:06 AM
Unveiling Past Writings
California gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell's college writings have come under scrutiny as he campaigns to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom. Among these is a graphic poem titled “Hungover From Burgundy,” penned when Swalwell was a 19-year-old student at Campbell University. The poem describes a sexual encounter filled with violent imagery, including lines about lovers “kissing till veins imploded and exploded” and blood rolling down their chins. Swalwell contributed to the university's literary magazine, “The Lyricist,” and wrote for the student newspaper, where he expressed radical views on various topics.
Controversial Political Views
In addition to his erotic poetry, Swalwell's college writings included commentary that expressed sympathy for convicted cop killers, specifically Mumia Abu-Jamal and Leonard Peltier. Abu-Jamal was convicted for the 1981 murder of a Philadelphia police officer, while Peltier was found guilty of killing two FBI agents during a 1975 shootout. These positions have resurfaced as Swalwell, a former prosecutor, seeks to reconcile his youthful rhetoric with his current role in the criminal justice system. Critics argue that his past statements are at odds with his claims of supporting law enforcement, given his father's background as a police chief.
Responses to Criticism
Swalwell's spokesman dismissed the resurfacing of these writings as youthful indiscretions, humorously suggesting that if the poetry was cringeworthy, his diary entries from age 12 would be even worse. However, conservative filmmaker Joel Gilbert, who has been vocal in his opposition to Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign, argues that the writings reveal a troubling alignment with radicalism and a lack of maturity. Gilbert has also initiated legal action to disqualify Swalwell from the gubernatorial race, claiming he does not meet residency requirements.
Broader Implications
Swalwell's past has raised questions about his viability as a candidate in a competitive race that includes notable figures such as Congresswoman Katie Porter and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. His history of radical writings and controversial associations, including his past entanglement with alleged Chinese spy Christine Fang, complicates his narrative as a lawmaker committed to public safety and law enforcement.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While Swalwell's supporters emphasize his progressive stances and opposition to former President Donald Trump, critics highlight the discrepancies between his past and present views. The ongoing discourse surrounding his college writings and their implications for his candidacy reflects broader tensions within California's political landscape.
Verbatim Quotes
- “ A spokesman brushed off the decades-old writing as youthful embarrassment in a statement to the Daily Mail, joking: “If you think Eric’s poetry at 18 was bad, you should see his diary entries from when he was 12.” — Swalwell's Spokesman
- “But Gilbert, whose hit films include Trump: The Art of the Insult and The Trayvon Hoax: Unmasking the Witness Fraud that Divided America, said: 'It's disturbing how he eroticizes violence.” — Joel Gilbert, Conservative Filmmaker
- “'As the son of a cop, I know what our first responders face every day,' he wrote on X Tuesday.” — Eric Swalwell
As Swalwell continues his campaign, the impact of his past writings on his political future remains to be seen.
