Anna Wilding Enters Democratic Congress Primary to Challenge 30-Year Incumbent Congressman Brad Sherman in CA-32 -- Sherman Agrees to Debate

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Anna Wilding, award-winning filmmaker, Chief White House Correspondent, business leader, and crisis-tested executive, has officially filed her candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in California's 32nd District. She will challenge incumbent Congressman Brad Sherman, who has held the seat for 30 years.

At the Democratic Pacific Palisades Garden Party on September 28, 2025, Wilding challenged Rep. Sherman to a debate. Sherman agreed, and both leaders emphasized that all candidates deserve fair and equal opportunity.

Wilding brings a diverse record of leadership and service. She is an internationally recognized filmmaker and presidential news photographer, an entrepreneur who founded Kalon Skincare in 2012 — a line that reached #1 on Amazon and in national retailers, was named "Best New Beauty Product on Amazon", and helped launch the bee venom skincare trend. She founded the Wilding Foundation, a registered charity that operated for nearly a decade, and is a long-standing advocate for ethics, equity, and innovation.

Her philanthropic and cultural work has spanned continents, from preserving tennis history to advancing creative industries and public policy solutions worldwide. She is also a close relative of Captain Anthony Wilding, the celebrated tennis champion who won Wimbledon four times between 1910 and 1914 before being killed on the front lines in World War I.

Wilding is both a U.S. citizen and an immigrant. She first moved to the United States at age 19, coming of age in Los Angeles during the Rodney King riots and the Persian Gulf War. These experiences shaped her deep understanding of justice, resilience, and the urgent need for responsive leadership.

"Democrats deserve an exciting, viable choice — someone who will refuse to back down for them in Washington," Wilding said. "That's what I intend to do: battle fiercely for Californians — on jobs, on safety, on housing, on fire recovery, on fairness online and offline."

Wilding also spoke to the challenges new candidates face in fundraising:

"The 'blue wall' of funding, created by the DNC to support only incumbents, makes it extremely difficult for new candidates — even where constituents demand choice. It essentially means only the wealthy can break through. That is not how democracy is supposed to work. I am calling on as much grassroots support as possible for my campaign."

A Fighter for Change in Washington

Wilding is no stranger to hard fights. As a Senior White House Correspondent during the Obama and Trump administrations, based inside the White House in Washington, D.C., and as a presidential photographer, she has taken on entrenched power structures, stood up against disinformation, and helped drive national conversations on ethics, equity, and leadership. As a filmmaker and business leader, she has led teams across industries and continents, bringing solutions to crises in entertainment, public policy, and beyond.

Tackling Crime and Supporting Communities

Wilding has also spoken out about rising crime in California's 32nd District.

"I recently witnessed a large shoplifting incident at a CVS," she said. "When I asked why police weren't called, the staff told me simply: the police don't show up. Put simply, defunding the police has not worked in our communities. We need practical solutions that support law enforcement while also investing in prevention, rehabilitation, and community safety. People in this district deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, their businesses, and their homes."

Standing Up to Online Harassment and Fighting for Accountability

Wilding has been outspoken about the rising tide of online harassment, particularly targeting successful women and girls. She has personally faced campaigns of harassment misinformation and defamation, giving her unique credibility to legislate for accountability.

There has been a documented rise in online hate crimes, with successful women often singled out for attack. Wilding herself was recently targeted after speaking publicly about the devastating Palisades fires, following the publication of a widely read article about losing her future home in Los Angeles. Read the article here.

"Our children are being bullied. Our daughters and sisters are being attacked online. Women who succeed are stalked, defamed, and targeted by bad-faith actors. We haven't even mastered the internet, and now we're staring down AI with no guardrails in place. It's time to hold Silicon Valley accountable, strengthen Section 230 reforms, and ensure our laws protect people, not platforms."

Wilding recently released a full statement on harassment, cyberbullying, and misinformation driven by a small group of overseas long-term harassers — or "superfans," as Taylor Swift has described similar trolls. Read the full statement here.

Priorities for California's 32nd District

Economic Renewal – Fighting rising costs, supporting small businesses, and building an economy that works for working families — not just the wealthy few. This includes setting guardrails around AI and holding Silicon Valley billionaires' feet to the fire to contribute to California's economy through grants and other means. The so-called "trickle-down effect" is not working. As Wilding noted, "It is all very well for Governor Newsom to say 'we are the fourth-largest economy,' but it is not trickling down to Californians."

Protecting Malibu's Coastline & Fire Recovery – Safeguarding the coast and ensuring fair zoning and resources for communities rebuilding after devastating fires.

Public Safety & Crime Prevention – Strengthening law enforcement response, supporting community policing, and investing in prevention so families feel safe in their neighborhoods and businesses.

Freedom & Equity – Protecting reproductive rights, religious freedom, and civil liberties for all.

Unity & Peace – Building unity in America while advancing peace and diplomacy beyond our shores, including in Israel, Gaza, Ukraine, and Russia.

A Call to PACs and Grassroots Allies

"This is a district ready for change. The incumbent has been in office for 30 years and is out of touch with today's realities. I bring proven leadership, cross-party credibility, and a readiness to battle fiercely for my community. With the support of PACs, unions, and grassroots donors, we can make history in 2026."

About Anna Wilding

Anna Wilding is an award-winning filmmaker, international business leader, and Senior White House Correspondent. She has served as a crisis-tested executive across industries and continents, founded a registered charity, and led initiatives on innovation, ethics, and equity. Her photography and films are in major collections worldwide.

She is a recognized advocate for women's rights in the film and media industry for more than two decades, has spoken on panels and as a spotlight speaker at Cannes, and her work has contributed over $2 million at the box office. She also serves on boards and holds Corporate Governance Certificates from the Anderson School of Management at UCLA and the Wharton School, underscoring her commitment to principled leadership and accountability.

SOURCE Committee Electing Wilding for California