California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwells bid to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom is facing turbulence as allegations of sexual misconduct swirl and members of his own party publicly question his fitness for higher office.
The controversy erupted after social media rumors claimed that multiple women were preparing to accuse Swalwell of sexual harassment and abuse involving staffers, with the claims quickly gaining traction in the middle of a heated primary season. According to Western Journal, the allegations surfaced at a politically sensitive moment, as Swalwell competes in a crowded Democratic field for the governorship in a state where the primary rules already pose significant risks for his party.
The initial accusations did not come from conservative activists or Republican operatives, but from a self-identified liberal activist, Cheyenne Hunt, who took to X to level serious charges against the congressman. I have been 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 posted on Monday, immediately injecting a volatile new element into the race.
Hunt followed up with additional posts, asserting that the first alleged victim was a close friend, and insisting she wanted women to know that they were not alone and that someone had their backs if they came forward. She went further, attacking Swalwells character and motives, accusing the progressive lawmaker of manipulation and abuse of power, and claiming he targeted employees, interns, and fans by acting as a mentor just to exploit that power.
The Swalwell campaign responded aggressively, issuing a sharply worded statement to CNN that attempted to frame the uproar as a politically motivated smear orchestrated by desperate rivals and right-wing elements. 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, Micah Beasley, Swalwells campaign communications director, declared, while also specifically denying that any woman had been silenced through a non-disclosure agreement.
Despite those denials, the timing and seriousness of the allegations appear to have rattled some Democrats, who are now openly distancing themselves from Swalwell rather than circling the wagons around a fellow progressive. That hesitation is particularly striking in Californias left-leaning political culture, where party unity is often prized over transparency when a prominent Democrat comes under fire.
Among those voicing concern is Democratic Rep. Katie Porter, herself a gubernatorial candidate and a favorite of the partys progressive wing, who chose not to dismiss the accusations out of hand. With regard to Congressman Swalwell, I have seen allegations coming from women staffers. They are very, very troubling allegations, Porter said during a television appearance, according to CBS News, adding, It is those womens stories to tell when they are ready, and I hope that they feel safe and supported if they choose to do so.
Former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, another Democrat vying for the governors office, went even further, directly criticizing Swalwells conduct and his response to the scandal. Im very disappointed in Eric Swalwell, Villaraigosa posted on Thursday, adding, As more and more women come forward with sexual harassment allegations, Swalwell skipped town to avoid facing tough questions about these allegations.
Villaraigosa accused Swalwell of ducking accountability and suggested that this behavior reflects a broader pattern of neglecting his duties. If you want to be Governor, you cant hide when the questions get tough, he wrote in a follow-up post, charging that this is an ongoing pattern for Eric Swalwell, and alleging that the congressman skipped todays forum to avoid questions from reporters for the same reason he skipped 68% of his votes in Congress since announcing his run for Governor.
The stakes are amplified by Californias unusual jungle primary system, in which all candidates, regardless of party, appear on the same ballot and only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election. That structure, combined with a crowded Democratic field and only two Republicans running one already endorsed by President Donald Trump has some Democrats privately fretting about what CNN described as a doomsday scenario in which none of the partys candidates finish in the top two in the primary.
For conservatives, the unfolding drama underscores long-standing concerns about the Democratic Partys internal culture and its selective approach to #MeToo-era accountability, particularly when allegations are aimed at a high-profile progressive like Swalwell. As more Democrats publicly question his judgment and reliability, the episode raises broader questions about whether Californias ruling party is more interested in preserving power than in demanding the same standards of transparency and responsibility that it routinely insists upon from its Republican opponents.
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