California is at a turning point. In April 2026, Congressman Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress and withdrew from the race for Governor following multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct — acknowledging that such conduct is incompatible with the public trust. The people of California demanded accountability. He listened.

Now, Californians must ask the same of State Treasurer Fiona Ma.

The Allegations Against Treasurer Ma

Fiona Ma continues to misrepresent the case and claim she was vindicated, silencing her victim. However, the facts are a matter of public record and court filings.

In July 2021, Judith Blackwell — a senior state official who served as Executive Director of two of California's most powerful affordable housing committees — filed a civil lawsuit in Sacramento County Superior Court against Treasurer Ma and the State Treasurer's Office. Blackwell alleged a sustained pattern of sexual harassment, including:

• Repeated sexual exposure: Ma called Blackwell into her bedroom during shared lodging and repeatedly exposed her nude backside to her subordinate in what Blackwell described as "intentional" acts.
• Climbing into a subordinate's bed: In May 2020, Ma climbed into bed with Blackwell while Blackwell was attempting to sleep. Blackwell testified she was overcome with "fear and confusion" and pretended to be asleep to avoid further confrontation.
• Improper gifts: Ma provided Blackwell with jewelry, artwork, and edible marijuana — gifts the complaint alleged were part of a pattern designed to cultivate personal loyalty and silence.
• A pattern, not an incident: Investigative reporting by the Sacramento Bee confirmed Ma shared hotel rooms with her Chief of Staff at least 13 times over a two-year period — a practice made possible by the absence of any state policy prohibiting it.

In September 2023, Sacramento County Superior Court Judge Christopher Krueger refused to dismiss the sexual harassment and emotional distress claims, finding that if a jury credited Blackwell's testimony, it would establish sexual harassment under California law. The case was headed to public trial.

In August 2024, just weeks before that trial was set to begin, the State of California Treasurer's Office (of which Fiona Ma was leading) authorized $350,000 in taxpayer funds to settle the case — one of the largest disclosed settlements ever paid to resolve misconduct allegations against a California constitutional officer.

Treasurer Ma called it a "vindication." We call it what it is: a bill sent to the people of California for her conduct.

Our Three Demands

California deserves leaders who are held to the same standard of accountability they would demand of anyone else. In that spirit, we — the undersigned — call on Treasurer Fiona Ma to:

1. Repay the $350,000 to the State of California. Taxpayers did not commit the acts alleged in this lawsuit. The settlement funds came from the public treasury — money intended for schools, housing, and infrastructure — not to shield a constitutional officer from the consequences of her personal conduct. Ma should make the people of California whole.
2. Withdraw her candidacy for Lieutenant Governor. As Eric Swalwell acknowledged when he stepped aside, the gravity of documented misconduct allegations is incompatible with seeking higher office. The same standard must apply equally. California cannot afford to elevate to the Lieutenant Governor's office an official whose tenure as Treasurer was marked by a $350,000 harassment settlement, a federal FBI document request, and three years of litigation over alleged sexual misconduct against a subordinate.
3. Resign as State Treasurer. Just as Congressman Swalwell resigned his seat, Treasurer Ma should step down from the office she currently holds. An official credibly accused of sexually harassing the employees she supervises — in the very spaces she required them to share with her — should not continue to exercise power over state employees and a $124 billion investment portfolio.

The Standard We Demand

We are a state that has proclaimed, loudly and repeatedly, that the era of looking the other way is over. That standard cannot be applied selectively based on party, profile, or portfolio size.

Survivors of workplace harassment deserve a government that holds itself accountable. The people of California deserve leaders whose integrity is beyond question — not leaders whose misconduct was resolved with a quiet check drawn on the public treasury.

Sign this petition. Share it. Demand the same accountability from Fiona Ma that California demanded from Eric Swalwell.

No one is above the law. No one is above the standard. Not anymore.

Ad paid for by Taxpayers Against Sexual Harassment by Government Officials - No on Fiona Ma for Lieutenant Governor 2026. Top Funder: Steve Phillips