Eric Swalwell, a California congressman running for governor, strongly denies allegations of inappropriate conduct with female staffers, dismissing them as a ‘MAGA conspiracy’ pushed by political opponents.
Campaign’s Firm Rejection
Micah Beasley, spokesperson for Swalwell, described the claims as a ‘false, outrageous rumor’ circulating 27 days before voting begins in the gubernatorial race. Beasley emphasized that Swalwell leads as the frontrunner among Democratic contenders to replace Governor Gavin Newsom.
‘In 13 years, no one in Eric Swalwell’s congressional office has ever been asked to sign an NDA. Ever. In 13 years, not a single ethics complaint by any staff in his office or any other office has ever been lodged. Ever,’ Beasley stated.
Emerging Accusations
Cheyenne Hunt, a former Capitol Hill staffer and media personality, accuses Swalwell of harassing young female staffers. She indicates that several women plan to share stories of sexual harassment and abuse, having remained silent due to non-disclosure agreements.
No specific accusations from individuals have surfaced yet. The claims arise less than two months before California’s gubernatorial primary on June 2, with mail-in voting starting May 4.
Responses from Critics
Hunt criticized Swalwell’s attribution of the allegations to Trump-aligned theorists, posting on X: ‘Smearing survivors with claims that they “teamed up with MAGA” is morally repugnant. These women are brave and deserve to be heard. We are working with legal counsel and the investigative team of a highly reputable outlet to ensure their stories are told properly.’
Prominent Democrats have yet to comment publicly on the matter.
Pressure Within Democratic Circles
Bhavik Lathia, a strategist who served as Battleground Mobilization Director on Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, urged Democrats to address the allegations seriously. In an X post, Lathia wrote: ‘Hey, I just got off the phone with a trusted friend. This is real. Take it seriously. Eric Swalwell cannot be our nominee. There is going to be a lot more coming out soon. I can’t say more right now, but stay tuned.’
