Hollywood support for Eric Swalwell, who is currently leading a crowded field of Democratic candidates vying to become California governor remains steady — at least for now — despite rumors of inappropriate behavior with female staffers that have been swirling around the 45-year-old congressman for weeks.
A fundraiser scheduled for April 18 which is being held at the home of producer David Miner and his wife Jennifer is moving forward. That event costs $250 for ‘guests’ and goes up to $10,000 for anyone seeking ‘host’ status. According to an invite, the event’s host committee includes lit agent and manager Lucy Stutz, entertainment attorney Jared Levine and producer Dana Guerin among others.
“Hollywood has definitely coalesced around Eric,” says an L.A.-based Democratic party fundraiser who has attended multiple events for Swalwell. “But over the past few weeks I think some people are struggling to make sense of all the rumors.” Small cracks in that support are starting to form as one member of the host committee for the April 18 event asked for her name to be removed, Page Six Hollywood has learned.
While short on specific details, several social media posts have suggested that non-disclosure agreements are the only thing protecting Swalwell from exposure for his alleged misconduct which seems to center on relationships he had with female staffers.
The lack of evidence hasn’t stopped his opponents from pouncing. Former LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former congresswoman Katie Porter and billionaire Tom Steyer have all referenced the rumors. On Wednesday, Swalwell addressed them at a town hall event in Sacramento calling them “false,” then questioning their timing. “I will just take stock that, look, we’re 27 days before an election starts,” Swalwell said, referencing the start of early voting ahead of the June 2 primary.
The race for governor remains wide open; the fragmentation caused by eight major Democratic candidates running has provided a lane for one — or perhaps even both — of the two leading Republicans to finish one-two in the June primary and advance to the general election.
One of those candidates, Steve Hilton has gained the support of a major figure in Silicon Valley, venture capitalist Marc Andreessen, P6H has learned. Hilton is a former advisor to Britain Prime Minister David Cameron and later hosted a weekly show on Fox News called “The Next Revolution.” Andreessen is hosting an event for Hilton later this month, but a source close to the billionaire told P6H that it was not a fundraiser.
