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California Rep. Eric Swalwell’s gubernatorial campaign forcefully denied rumors Tuesday that multiple women are preparing to come forward with allegations of sexual misconduct involving staffers, calling the claims a politically motivated attack as California’s pivotal primary election approaches.
“This false, outrageous rumor is being spread 27 days before an election begins by flailing opponents who have sadly teamed up with MAGA conspiracy theorists because they know Eric Swalwell is the frontrunner in this race,” said Micah Beasley, Swalwell’s campaign communications director, in a statement.
The campaign specifically refuted allegations that staff members had been silenced through non-disclosure agreements. “In 13 years, no one in Eric Swalwell’s congressional office has ever been asked to sign an NDA. Ever,” Beasley emphasized. “In 13 years, not a single ethics complaint by any staff in his office or any other office has ever been lodged. Ever.”
The controversy erupts at a critical moment in California’s gubernatorial race, with less than two months remaining before the June 2 primary. Mail-in voting begins in under four weeks, adding urgency to the situation.
California employs a unique “top-two” primary system where candidates from all parties compete on a single ballot, with only the two highest vote-getters advancing to the November general election regardless of party affiliation. This system has created a complicated dynamic in the crowded field of candidates seeking to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The rumors gained traction on social media through progressive influencers, with the conservative news outlet Daily Caller publishing a report highlighting claims by Cheyenne Hunt, a lawyer and executive director of Gen-Z for Change. Hunt stated on social platform X that she is “working with a number of women who are in the process of coming forward and sharing their stories of sexual harassment and even alleged abuse at the hands of Eric Swalwell.”
Hunt did not identify any of the women or provide specific details of their allegations, but claimed they are working with legal representation and that some felt bound to silence by non-disclosure agreements—a claim Swalwell’s campaign directly contests.
Rep. Katie Porter, one of Swalwell’s Democratic rivals in the governor’s race, addressed the situation during a CNN appearance Tuesday. “With regard to Rep. Swalwell, I have seen allegations coming from women staffers. They are very, very troubling allegations,” Porter said, though she acknowledged she has not personally spoken with any accusers. “It’s those women’s stories to tell when they are ready, and I hope they feel safe and supported if they choose to do so.”
The allegations come amid an already challenging gubernatorial race. The Democratic field is particularly crowded, featuring prominent candidates including Porter, billionaire activist Tom Steyer, former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond, and former State Controller Betty Yee.
On the Republican side, only two major candidates are running: former Fox News host Steve Hilton, who recently received former President Donald Trump’s endorsement, and Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco. With Republicans being a minority in heavily Democratic California, Trump’s endorsement of Hilton likely consolidates conservative support behind a single candidate, potentially securing him one of the two spots in the general election.
Democrats have long worried about a scenario where their votes are so fractured among multiple candidates that no Democrat advances to the general election. Trump’s endorsement of Hilton, while strengthening the Republican’s position, may ironically help Democrats avoid being shut out entirely.
This is not the first time Swalwell has faced political attacks. Republicans, including Trump, have repeatedly criticized him over his past association with Fang Fang, also known as Christine Fang, a woman at the center of a suspected Chinese intelligence operation between 2011 and 2015. The House Ethics Committee closed its investigation into Swalwell in 2023 without taking any action, and he was never accused of wrongdoing in the matter.
As voting approaches, the allegations against Swalwell add another layer of complexity to an already contentious race that will determine leadership of the nation’s most populous state.
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20 Comments
While I’m hesitant to immediately dismiss these allegations, the campaign’s strong denials are notable. I’ll continue to follow this story closely as it develops.
Yes, it’s important to maintain an impartial and objective stance. Rushing to judgement without solid proof would be irresponsible.
This is a tricky situation, as misconduct claims should always be taken seriously. However, the campaign’s response seems quite unequivocal in rejecting the allegations.
Agreed, the campaign’s clear denial is worth paying attention to. Voters deserve the full truth, whatever that may be.
The timing of these claims is certainly suspicious, coming so close to the primary election. I hope the truth can be established through a fair and impartial process.
Yes, it’s important that the investigation into these allegations, if any, be conducted in a transparent and non-partisan manner. Unfounded rumors shouldn’t be allowed to influence the electoral process.
This is a messy situation, but I appreciate the campaign’s clear and unambiguous denial of the allegations. Transparency will be key going forward.
Agreed, the campaign needs to continue being upfront and providing full transparency to the voters. That’s the best way to address these concerns.
Interesting allegations against the Swalwell campaign. I’d want to see credible evidence before jumping to conclusions. Politics can get messy, so it’s important to stay objective and let the facts speak for themselves.
I agree, rushing to judgement without verifying the claims could be counterproductive. A fair and impartial investigation would be the best way to get to the truth of the matter.
The timing of these claims is certainly suspicious, coming so close to the primary. I’ll be interested to see if any credible evidence emerges to support them.
Absolutely, the political motivations behind the allegations need to be closely examined. Voters deserve the facts, not partisan mudslinging.
The timing of these allegations is certainly curious, coming so close to the primary election. I hope the campaign is able to address them transparently and put the rumors to rest.
Yes, the political motivations behind the claims need to be scrutinized carefully. Voters deserve accurate information to make informed decisions.
The campaign’s response seems quite forceful in rejecting these claims. I’ll reserve judgement until more concrete evidence comes to light one way or the other.
Yes, it’s wise to wait for a full investigation before drawing conclusions. Jumping to assumptions based on unsubstantiated rumors is unproductive.
While misconduct allegations should always be taken seriously, the categorical denials from the Swalwell campaign are notable. I’ll be following this story closely to see how it develops.
Agreed, the campaign’s strong pushback against the claims is worth paying attention to. The truth will likely come out as more details emerge.
It’s concerning to see these kinds of allegations surfacing so close to an election. I hope the truth can be established through a fair and impartial process.
Absolutely, maintaining integrity in the electoral process is crucial. Unfounded rumors shouldn’t be allowed to overshadow the real issues that matter to voters.