The Kiwi Running for US Congress

The Saga So Far:

Part 1: The Beginning
Part 2: Wilding vs The World
Part 3: Wilding v Wikipedia
Part 4: The Mysterious Matt Obolensky
Part 5: The End of the Saga?
Part 6: 25 Years of Making Shit Up
Part 7: The Kiwi Running for US Congress
Part 8: "Strictly Need To Know"
Part 9: Webworm Is Being Taken To Court (Again)
Part 10: Anna Wilding's Racist Ramblings

Hi,

There’s a battle brewing in the race for California’s 32rd Congressional District, a somewhat swanky part of California that includes the Western San Fernando Valley and the Pacific Palisades – home to celebrities like Tom Hanks, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.

The post is currently held by 70-year-old Democrat Brad Sherman, a whopping 15-term incumbent who was first elected to Congress 30 years ago.

But this year Sherman’s re-election is under threat, younger candidates like Jake Levine (who served in the White House under Obama and Biden) and Jake Rakov (a former Sherman staffer) saying it’s time for more "youthful" democratic blood to take the lead. 

Sherman’s been described as “out of touch with his constituents” and “unwilling to mount a meaningful resistance against President Donald Trump’s MAGA hellscape” in a part of California devastated by 2025’s wildfires. Sherman’s case hasn’t been helped by the fact he’s taken over $4 million from Israeli lobby groups.

But I wasn’t interested in any of those names. I was interested in the New Zealander who has entered the race. The Kiwi out to usurp Brad Sherman from his throne. The woman who wants a seat in Congress.

The opening question from the moderator was clear and precise.

“So let me ask you the first question. I want to ask you, what do you think is the most important issue or issues facing the country today? What do you think the obstacles are to overcoming these problems, and what would you do if you were elected in your first term?”

Anna Wilding’s answer came quickly.

“Sure. So I arrived in the United States legally by myself as a first-generation immigrant. The only one in the race.”

Wilding would go on to reference her immigrant status throughout the evening. 

“I'm a first generation immigrant.”

“Because I'm a first generation immigrant myself.”

“I'm the only first-generation immigrant in the race.”

The event happened last Tuesday: A congressional candidate forum run by East Valley Indivisibles, a group “dedicated to championing democratic values.” 

It all took place over Zoom – five Democratic candidates filling the screen: 15-term incumbent Brad Sherman, hot contender Jake Levine (whose father was a congressman), small business owner Chris Ahuja, and Marena Lin, who has a PhD in climate science.

Lin, who had earlier explained how her parents immigrated to the US from Taiwan, appears to be the primary reason Wilding is banging on about being a “first generation immigrant.” Wilding, who is white, is making sure the audience knows who the real immigrant in the room is.

I first encountered Anna Wilding nearly a decade ago in November of 2016. 

I’d posted something on Facebook about Tickled coming out in theatres, when this person I’d never met slid into my DMs offering help. I replied with a “Thanks! Same back at ya”, which did not go down well.

This was my first encounter with Anna Wilding.

What followed was Wilding contacting Magnolia Films, the New Zealand Film Commission and my old newsroom TV3 with a variety of insults and cease and desist notices. 

I documented that on Webworm, which led to a six part series examining the way Anna Wilding has masterfully inserted herself into a variety of stories and news narratives over the last 25 years, eventually leading her to attend press briefing at the White House during Obama’s presidency. 

As I wrote at the time:

Her credibility in each news appearance remains unchecked, as she adds to her growing CV of appearances.

The more she appears in the press, the more she’s on Google, and the more likely she is to be taken seriously.

The scale of it all is quite amazing.

Webworm has a recording of Wilding’s 17 minute Q&A session at last week's forum, in which she attempts to win constituents over. She swings between a slightly stunted flat affect, while at times getting louder and more heated for reasons that aren’t entirely clear. 

Webworm has talked to several people adjacent to the race, who said it was "the most bizarre congressional candidate forum experience" they’ve ever had. 

While she did talk about her politics – “The most important things facing our country right now are accountability, housing costs, economic security, and protecting democracy itself” – she took multiple opportunities to shoot down her opponents.

“The last thing we want is another sheep like Brad Sherman or a bureaucrat like Jake Levine or anyone like that. We need someone who is bold, not scared.”

But strangely, many of her barbs appeared to be directed at the only other woman on the panel, Marena Lin. Wilding began by trying to one-up Lin’s immigration status, and ended by laying into Lin again:

“We have an academic who's lying on her ballot about being a climate scientist. She's not. She's a data IT person at public health. She has a PhD in climate science, but has never actually done the job of climate science.”

To be clear: Lin was not lying. Much of the rest of Wilding's 17 minutes was spent talking about her list of “achievements”, which as Webworm has noted in the past are a stretch at best.

“When I arrived I worked three jobs, founded companies, created award-winning films, founded a non-profit that led in the disaster zone, and served as a senior White House correspondent across multiple administrations, and also ran a small business, which I took to number one on Amazon. My exhibit [...] the Obama's Celebrate Hope, was seen by thousands.”

She pauses.

“I probably have more lived experience than any other candidate in this race.”

She certainly tries to back up that claim:

“I was the first to speak out against Harvey Weinstein, by the way.”

And later:

“I spoke out against Harvey Weinstein. I received a small settlement because he made my life hell because I wouldn't sleep with him.”

Webworm had already heard those claims back in 2020. Tabloids like Page Six documented it as fact. Last Tuesday, a new narrative entered the scene. It came from left-field, the words rushing out of Wilding’s mouth:

“I actually am in the Epstein Files. I am the only person running for Congress in the Epstein files that has and will afford me protection to speak up more than anyone else. And help people accountable.”

That revelation was moved on from as quickly as it came. “I'm the only person in this race who has actually spoken to [border czar] Tom Holman multiple times about the conditions of the detention centers!” she said. She went on.

“I actually have a certification from Civil Air Patrol. I am FEMA qualified.”

“I'm honored to have just received the Progressive Democratic Club endorsement over the weekend, one of the oldest Democratic clubs in America.”

I checked the Progressive Democratic Club’s website. If the endorsement exists, it’s not yet listed. There's also an element of drama in Wilding's narrative, for no apparent reason.

“I walked into this race with two broken ribs, a broken sternum and a broken foot. I've just got through that.”

I reached out to Anna Wilding for comment via her WildingForCalifornia.com website. I asked her to clarify elements of her campaign and claims, and asked how much she’s raised so far.

I sent my email at 9.49am. Two hours later, I received a reply in the form of a legal threat.

I have made her full letter available here for transparency (along with the audio of her Q&A), but her primary complaint boils down to this:

"Over the past ten years you have circulated allegations about me that are inaccurate, biased, unsupported, and defamatory. These claims have no factual basis and continue to be raised despite clear notice that they are false. I have also received no apology or retraction from you. In the absence of any correction or accountability for those statements, there is no basis for constructive engagement."

Her whole letter is worth reading, and reflects Wilding’s overall habit of saying more than she needs to. She documents a list of achievements in her life, then – apropos of nothing – goes into great detail about other people in her life including her husband, “who served as a civilian in the United States Navy’s nuclear program and is also an award-winning restoration architect.”

Wilding ends by directing a number of legal threats at me. Some seem somewhat based in reality –

“Your continued conduct, including repeated contact and the circulation of defamatory allegations, has been documented. All communications from you are being preserved as evidence. False statements about me constitute defamation. Continued harassment may also qualify as civil harassment under California Code of Civil Procedure § 527.6.”

Others, less so:

“United States law strictly limits foreign involvement in U.S. elections under the Federal Election Campaign Act. Any attempt by non-U.S. nationals to interfere with a federal election may fall under the jurisdiction of federal authorities, including the Federal Election Commission and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.”

Part of me is always impressed by the sheer force of Anna Wilding’s will. Every time I write a new story about her latest move, I find myself surprised. 

This is no different: I’m surprised to see her running alongside some incredibly serious politicians in the United States – some backed by millions of dollars. 

Her exact motivations remain unclear: Political influence? Money? Fame? I’d love to know, but she has only ever really communicated to me through legal threats.

The US political arena is clearly a chaotic place: Donald Trump and former congresspeople like George Santos reminding us that reality can be stretched thin.

And now we have New Zealander Anna Wilding in the mix. Barely in the mix – but present. And incredibly confident in her ability to serve the American people:

“I have some name recognition. I've negotiated major contracts around the world and have been brought into major crisis situations around the world.

I had lived experience that no other candidate is bringing to the table.”

That last bit I buy.

David.