Swalwell Denies 'False, Outrageous' Harassment Claims Ahead of Primary

California congressman responds to activist's allegations of misconduct with female staffers and supporters.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 4:55pm by Ben Kaplan

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A fractured, abstract painting featuring the silhouette of a politician repeated in overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue, violet, and red, conveying a sense of political turmoil and allegations.As allegations of misconduct swirl around a prominent California politician, the resulting political turbulence is captured in a dynamic, avant-garde visual style.San Francisco Today

Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has denied accusations of sexual harassment against female staffers, breaking his silence on an activist claiming she's working with a group of women preparing to come forward with allegations. Swalwell addressed the claims at a town hall event, stating there have been no NDAs or settlements related to misconduct in his office. His campaign has called the allegations 'false' and 'outrageous', saying Swalwell is being targeted by 'flailing opponents' and 'MAGA conspiracy theorists' ahead of the upcoming primary election.

Why it matters

The allegations against Swalwell, a frontrunner in the California governor's race, come at a critical time just weeks before the primary election. If substantiated, the claims could significantly impact his campaign and political future. However, Swalwell has strongly denied any wrongdoing, raising questions about the motives and credibility of his accusers.

The details

The accusations originated from multiple left-leaning social media influencers and accounts, according to reports. Activist Cheyenne Hunt claimed she has been working with 'a number of women' who allege Swalwell engaged in sexual harassment and 'potentially criminal conduct' involving staffers, interns, and supporters. However, Swalwell's campaign has pushed back, stating there have been no ethics complaints or NDAs related to misconduct in his congressional office over the past 13 years.

  • On April 6, 2026, activist Cheyenne Hunt first made the allegations public on social media.
  • On April 7, 2026, Swalwell addressed the claims at a town hall event in Sacramento.

The players

Eric Swalwell

A Democratic U.S. Representative from California's 15th congressional district who is running for governor.

Cheyenne Hunt

The executive director of Gen-Z for Change, an activist group, who claims to be working with women alleging misconduct by Swalwell.

Micah Beasley

A spokesperson for Swalwell's campaign, who has denied the 'false, outrageous' allegations against the congressman.

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What they’re saying

“No, no, it's false. And also some of the allegations I've seen, which is that we've had NDAs in the office, and never, there's never been an allegation and there's never been a settlement. And I will also just take stock that we're 27 days before an election starts.”

— Eric Swalwell, U.S. Representative

“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, Spokesperson, Swalwell Campaign

“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 that those stories are told the right way.”

— Cheyenne Hunt, Executive Director, Gen-Z for Change

What’s next

The allegations against Swalwell are expected to be further investigated by a 'highly reputable outlet' as Cheyenne Hunt and the women she is working with prepare to share their stories publicly. The outcome of this investigation could significantly impact Swalwell's gubernatorial campaign in the weeks leading up to the primary election.

The takeaway

The Swalwell allegations highlight the ongoing challenges of addressing claims of misconduct in politics, especially in the lead-up to high-stakes elections. While the veracity of the claims remains unclear, the response from both sides underscores the highly charged and partisan nature of such accusations in the current political climate.