The campaign of Rep. Eric Swalwell, the California Democratic candidate for governor, on Tuesday sought to rebut claims made by a number of folks on social media that a number of ladies plan to return ahead with allegations of sexual misconduct involving staffers.
“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,” Swalwell campaign communications director Micah Beasley mentioned in an announcement.
He additionally mentioned one outstanding declare that girls have remained silent as a result of of non-disclosure agreements is fake.
“In 13 years, no one in Eric Swalwell’s congressional office has ever been asked to sign an NDA. Ever,” Beasley mentioned. “In 13 years, not a single ethics complaint by any staff in his office or any other office has ever been lodged. Ever.”
The assertion comes lower than two months earlier than California’s June 2 main, through which Swalwell and several other different outstanding Democrats are battling for what’s more likely to be only one spot within the November normal election. Voters can start mailing in ballots in lower than 4 weeks.
All events’ candidates compete in California’s main, with solely the highest two finishers regardless of get together advancing to the overall election — a singular “top-two” system that complicates the state’s crowded subject.
Just two main Republicans are competing: Steve Hilton, a British transplant and former Fox News host, and Chad Bianco, the Riverside County sheriff. Republicans are a minority in California, however as a result of the sphere of Democratic candidates is far bigger and extra fractured, Democrats have lengthy feared a doomsday state of affairs through which none of the get together’s candidates end within the prime two within the main to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom.
President Donald Trump this week endorsed Hilton, cementing the chance that he’ll advance, but additionally serving to Democrats keep away from the nightmare of being shut out of the overall election.
Along with Swalwell, the roster of well-known Democrats within the race contains US Rep. Katie Porter; billionaire activist Tom Steyer; Xavier Becerra, the previous state lawyer normal and Biden administration Health and Human Services secretary; San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan; former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond; and former State Controller Betty Yee. None have emerged as a transparent favourite.
Allegations of wrongdoing towards Swalwell emerged on social media by accounts of progressive influencers. The Daily Caller, a conservative information outlet, on Monday published a report highlighting claims leveled by Cheyenne Hunt, a lawyer and former congressional candidate who’s now the manager director of Gen-Z for Change.
Hunt mentioned in an X post Monday 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 didn’t identify any of the ladies she mentioned are alleging misconduct, and didn’t share the specifics of their claims. She mentioned these ladies are working with a lawyer, and that some felt they needed to stay silent as a result of of non-disclosure agreements.
Porter, one of Swalwell’s Democratic rivals within the governor’s race, highlighted what she mentioned have been “very troubling allegations” Tuesday on NCS.
“With regard to Rep. Swalwell, I have seen allegations coming from women staffers. They are very, very troubling allegations. 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,” Porter mentioned.
Porter mentioned she has not spoken to any of the ladies who social media influencers say plan to return ahead with allegations towards Swalwell.
“This is about building a politics that works for people, that is focused on living our values, and I believe women. I think that has to be the starting place here,” she mentioned.
Trump and different Republicans have lengthy mocked Swalwell over his affiliation with the girl on the heart of a suspected political intelligence operation run by China’s important civilian spy company between 2011 and 2015, Fang Fang or Christine Fang.
The House Ethics Committee in 2023 closed its investigation into Swalwell with out taking motion, and he was by no means accused of wrongdoing. However, The Washington Post reported in March that FBI Director Kash Patel was pushing to launch case recordsdata from the investigation.