San Francisco congressional candidate accused of sexual harassment
Writer Elizabeth Croydon accused California 12th Congressional District candidate Shahid Buttar of repeatedly sexually harassing her for more than a decade while he lived in Washington D.C.
Shahid Buttar gives a speech during the ‘Fuck AmeriKKKan Independence Day’ protest at Dolores Park in San Francisco, California, on July 4, 2020. (Harika Maddala / Golden Gate Xpress)
A previous version of this story ran a headline that didn’t accurately depict the claims against Shahid Buttar. Elizabeth Croydon alleged that Buttar sexually harassed her, but never used the word assault.
Based on my personal experiences and many others not detailed, Shahid Buttar is not trustworthy or deserving of holding elected office — Elizabeth Croydon
Croydon alleged, in a Medium post published Tuesday afternoon, that beginning in 2003 when Buttar lived in a communal home of artists and activists that she would frequently visit, he would regularly make unwelcome sexual advances and comments toward her despite her clear rejections of him.
“Based on my personal experiences and many others not detailed, Shahid Buttar is not trustworthy or deserving of holding elected office,” Croydon wrote. “I’m compelled to share my history about Shahid as he may have harassed other women and may continue this behavior as a Congressman if elected.”
Buttar began his campaign in February 2018 to represent California’s 12th district, which covers most of San Francisco and is currently represented by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
Buttar ran on a platform based on “climate justice, human rights, and racial justice for all,” according to his website, and he racked up endorsements from former San Francisco Supervisor Eric Mar, grassroots movement The People for Bernie Sanders and the San Francisco chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America. In a statement to the San Francisco Chronicle, the organization
said it is considering revoking its endorsement of Buttar in light of the accusation.
Buttar’s campaign provided a statement to Xpress, which he also
posted to Twitter on Tuesday afternoon, denying Croydon’s allegations.
“A former acquaintance recently provided a statement on Twitter regarding sexual harassment. These claims are false,” the statement read. “Every survivor must be heard, and I hope to be allowed the same opportunity to be heard as well.”
Buttar is the first Democrat to challenge Pelosi in a general election since she was elected to Congress in 1987. Buttar, a democratic socialist, won 13% of the vote in March’s primary election to Pelosi’s 74%.
phil • Jul 24, 2020 at 6:49 pm
Where is he accused of sexual assault? Your headline is libelous.
Peter Perry • Jul 23, 2020 at 6:54 am
It is not assault. But it also didn’t happen.
Maybe talk with DC folks that knew both of them during the time period in question. I did. Shahid is a respected organizer whose behavior does not match with what EC is saying. While EC has a history in peddling falsehoods. But here’s some folks that knew them better than me: Chris Otten, Mohammed Alem, Laurie Bug (that’s the last name she goes by on Fb), Cesar Maxit, Kevin Zeese, Dr Margaret Flowers, Lacy Macauley, Malachy Killbride.
Jan • Jul 23, 2020 at 12:47 am
None of the other articles mention actual sexual assault. This one does but only in the headline. Are you going to back up that headline or just let it stand without evidence?
Jeremy P • Jul 22, 2020 at 1:13 pm
Sexual harassment, not assault. Please change this headline?