Democrat Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is facing renewed scrutiny after graphic “erotic poetry” he wrote as a college student resurfaced in a media report.
It comes as the congressman, a former member of the House Intelligence Committee, launches his California gubernatorial campaign.
The poem, titled “Hungover From Burgundy,” appeared in Campbell University’s literary magazine, The Lyricist, during Swalwell’s sophomore year.
Portions of the piece contain vivid imagery and stylized language that critics have mocked as juvenile and inappropriate for a future national security lawmaker.
Among the lines cited in a New York Post report:
“And there beauty was, formless and magnificent — a flurry of limbs and nails. She chased and I ran, I chased and she ran.”
“While I screamed, she bent her lips to mine. Kissing till veins imploded and exploded, till blood rolled down our chins, for bounded mouths cannot speak of parting.”
“In the morning, I awoke beside beauty’s shadow — her form sloppy and her legs pale. My scar lost, my lips cracked and dry. And we groaned simultaneously.”
A spokesperson for Swalwell responded with a brief remark:
“If you think Eric’s poetry at 18 was bad, you should see his diary entries from when he was 12.”
Broader Questions Beyond College Writing
While critics acknowledge that embarrassing college writing is common, the resurfaced material has drawn attention because Swalwell later rose to national prominence, including serving on the House Intelligence Committee and pursuing higher office in California.
The same report also highlighted student-era commentary in which Swalwell expressed views sympathetic to controversial convicted figures Mumia Abu-Jamal and Leonard Peltier.
These positions conflict with his later career as a prosecutor leading a hate crimes unit.
Swalwell has not publicly addressed those earlier writings.
Renewed Focus on Past National Security Controversy
Swalwell’s past interactions with Christine Fang, a woman later identified by U.S. intelligence officials as a suspected Chinese Communist Party spy, have also re-entered the political conversation.
Between 2011 and 2015, Fang developed relationships with several politicians, assisted with fundraising for Swalwell’s campaign, and helped place an intern in his congressional office.
Federal investigators provided Swalwell with a defensive briefing in 2015, after which he cut off contact.
The House Ethics Committee concluded a review in 2023 without taking action.
Nevertheless, then-Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) later removed Swalwell from the House Intelligence Committee, citing national security concerns.
California Race Looms
Swalwell’s potential gubernatorial campaign emerges as California faces mounting policy challenges, including housing affordability, energy reliability, and public safety debates.
Whether the resurfaced college writings and past controversies carry political consequences remains unclear.
Nevertheless, the developments add fresh scrutiny as Democrats and Republicans alike begin assessing possible contenders for the state’s next governor.
READ MORE – Eric Swalwell Caught Taking Money from Chinese Communist Party-Linked Firm
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