Eric Swalwell denies inappropriate conduct amid rampant online rumors

California governor candidate Eric Swalwell has broken his silence about online rumors that have swirled for days alleging inappropriate contact with female staffers.

The East Bay congressman and Democratic frontrunner in the governor’s race slammed the allegations as a fake rumor designed to derail his candidacy weeks before voting begins in the June 2 primary election.

“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 spokesperson, in a statement.

The unverified rumor of inappropriate conduct was circulated by Cheyenne Hunt, a Democratic Gen Z activist and former congressional candidate.

In a series of videos posted to TikTok, Hunt claimed she was working with a group of women who had experienced misconduct by Swalwell, alluding to a press report that she said could publish soon.

“I am personally working with a group of women who want to come forward and share their stories. I am also aware of a much larger group that is also in this process that I am not personally working with,” Hunt claimed in a video posted this month.

Hunt alleged that women working for Swalwell had been forced to sign NDAs to prevent them from speaking about their experiences — a claim that the congressman’s camp strongly denied.

“In 13 years, no one in Eric Swalwell’s Congressional office has ever been asked to sign an NDA. Ever,” Beasley said. “In 13 years, not a single ethics complaint by any staff in his office or any other office has ever been lodged. Ever.”
 

“As a prosecutor, Eric Swalwell spent his career fighting for women,” he added. 

“As a Representative, he has demanded accountability for convicted abusers like Donald Trump and has pushed for the full release of House Ethics Committee records related to any allegation of misconduct against any Member of Congress. And as Governor, Eric Swalwell will continue to fight for the rights of all women.”

The congressman has led the Democratic field in recent polls and racked up endorsements from fellow lawmakers and powerful unions like SEIU California, California Teachers Association and California Professional Firefighters.

Swalwell also recently threatened legal action against FBI Director Kash Patel, who is reportedly preparing to release investigative files related to Christine Fang, an alleged Chinese spy known as Fang Fang who wormed her way into Swalwell’s circle, bundling donations for his campaign and recommending interns.

Swalwell was not accused of any wrongdoing in the incident.

Elizabeth Ashford, a California Democratic strategist, said Swalwell is wise to deny the rumors barring any specific credible allegation.

“A campaign can’t let rumors get legs. The days of waiting this kind of thing out are over, that strategy died awhile ago,” Ashford said. “Obviously everything changes if there’s a substantiated allegation. But that hasn’t happened here.”

Swalwell’s main Democratic competitors are former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter, billionaire progressive activist Tom Steyer, both of whom are polling in the double digits according to recent surveys. Other Dems in the race include former attorney general Xavier Becerra, former LA mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, former controller Betty Yee, Superintendent Tony Thurmond and San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan.

Two Republicans, former Fox News host Steve Hilton and Riverside Sheriff Chad Bianco, have racked up substantial support — sparking Democratic fears that the two Republicans could advance to the general election.

Larry Gerston, professor emeritus of political science at San José State University, said to expect more mudslinging ahead of the June primary election.

“As the campaign gets closer to the end, there’s going to be a lot of charges going back and forth from all sides because there is no leader in the race” Gerston said.

“I would be very careful to not give credence to something unless it is verifiable, and if it is — all horns should be blaring.”

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