The Legend of Fang Fang Returns
Potential FBI release threatens to revive decade-old spy scandal—raising stakes for Swalwell, questions about political timing; Nate 2028?; Mary Hayashi back DA's campaign
☕️MORNING BUZZ
Vol. VI, No. 1,231
—Eric Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign has largely avoided the long-dormant espionage controversy tied to alleged Chinese spy Christine Fang—until now.
—That could change quickly. Reports over the weekend indicate FBI Director Kash Patel may soon release materials from the decade-old investigation, possibly as early as this week—reviving one of the East Bay’s most unusual political scandals just two months before the June primary election.
—Some federal law enforcement experts have raised concerns about the timing and the potential impact on the race, warning it could blur the line between investigation and political influence in California’s gubernatorial primary.
—Here’s a Fang Fang explainer:
—Christine Fang, known as “Fang Fang,” arrived in the East Bay in the early 2010s and quickly embedded herself in local political circles, building relationships with officials across Fremont and the Tri-Valley. One of them was Swalwell, then a newly elected Dublin City Councilmember.
In December 2020, I wrote about Fang after Axios broke the initial story about her alleged ties to the Chinese government, “She came out of nowhere. Then she was gone: The local angle on Swalwell’s ties to an alleged Chinese spy”:
Almost every Fremont and Tri-Valley elected official and political insider seems to hold the same vivid memories of Fang. Many remarked that she appeared to have come out of nowhere and was suddenly meeting every local official and seemingly showing up at every event. Others also described holding deep-seated suspicions about her intentions.
According to Axios, Fang’s strategy was to cultivate relationships with rising politicians in hopes they would advance. Swalwell, who went on to win a congressional seat in 2012 and later ran for president in 2019, was among those she connected with.
Fang reportedly gained access to Swalwell’s network, assisting during his 2014 re-election and successfully placed an associate in his congressional office.
In 2015, after being briefed by the FBI that Fang was suspected of ties to Chinese Ministry of State Security, a civilian intelligence service, Swalwell cut off contact. Fang reported disappeared not long after.
A two-year House ethics investigation that ended in 2023 took no further action over whether Swalwell violated any House rules or “other standards of conduct” with his connection to Fang.
In 2020, Fox News, citing anonymous sources, alleged a sexual relationship between Swalwell and Fang. Swalwell’s office declined to comment, saying details may be classified.
—The political impact now hinges on what, if anything, the FBI releases. An inconclusive report could bolster Swalwell, especially if voters view it as a politically motivated move by the Trump administration. But a damaging or tawdry disclosure could prove far more difficult to overcome.
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—More inside:
ELECTION 2026: First attack website of the June election cycle emerges in CA14.
Miley signals 2028 run, potentially upending succession plans in District 4.
EBMUD water fight brewing: Challenger gains two big name endorsements ahead of November campaign.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE: East Bay officials that shoplifted from Neiman Marcus is backing appointed DA.
Form 497 large campaign contributions filed on March 27-29.
🚨🆕🎙️EAST BAY INSIDERS PODCAST🚨
—EPISODE 127—We break down the latest twists in California’s governor’s race—why Eric Swalwell continues to dodge sustained scrutiny, whether Matt Mahan’sbig-money campaign is failing to translate into real support. Plus, our early predictions for where the race is headed.
—We also dive into Oakland’s growing debate over the strong mayor system, and Mayor Barbara Lee’s new plan to tackle homelessness, plus a different take on the city celebrating Alysa Liu and Ryan Coogler.
—Finally, we cover James Aguilar’s appointment to the San Leandro City Council following Bryan Azevedo’s resignation amid an FBI probe—and what it means for local governance moving forward.
🚨For more from this week’s episode, subscribe to the East Bay Insiders Newsletter for an extra segment of the podcast at EBI After Hours available the Wednesday after the episode drops.
