SACRAMENTO\u00a0\u2014\u00a0Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for California governor, on Tuesday denounced online claims that he had inappropriate relationships with young congressional staff members.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s false,\u201d he told reporters after an evening town hall at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center in Sacramento. <\/p>\n
When asked, Swalwell said he never behaved inappropriately with female staff members or had a sexual relationship with a staff member or an intern.<\/p>\n
Swalwell, 45, added that allegations that his staff members were asked to sign nondisclosure agreements or entered into legal settlements were patently false. He and his campaign spokesman added that the timing of the allegations \u2014 less than one month before ballots land in voters\u2019 mailboxes, when he is among the front-runners in the governor\u2019s race \u2014 is notable.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis 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,\u201d spokesman Micah Beasley said in a statement.<\/p>\n
Allegations that Swalwell (D-Dublin) acted sexually inappropriately with young women have been swirling online for weeks, with the tempo growing in recent days as Democratic strategists, Washington insiders and social media influencers posted about the allegations, including that he made these women sign nondisclosure agreements.<\/p>\n
Cheyenne Hunt, a Laguna Hills attorney and executive director of a progressive advocacy group, and social media influencer Arielle Fodor, known online as Mrs. Frazzled, are among those publicizing the allegations online. Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida, who has tangled with Swalwell in the past, also took to social media to amplify the allegations and question the California congressman\u2019s behavior. <\/p>\n
\u201cSmearing survivors with claims that they \u2018teamed up with MAGA\u2019 is morally repugnant,\u201d Hunt wrote on X after Swalwell\u2019s team responded.<\/p>\n
Fodor told The Times that the comments from Swalwell\u2019s team are \u201cridiculous and verifiably unfounded.\u201d<\/p>\n
Swalwell\u2019s campaign began forcefully pushing back against the allegations, which have recently been circulated by conservative media outlets such as the Washington Free Beacon and the California Globe, on Tuesday afternoon.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn 13 years, no one in Eric Swalwell\u2019s Congressional office has ever been asked to sign an NDA. Ever,\u201d Beasley said in a statement that was first reported by Politico. \u201cIn 13 years, not a single ethics complaint by any staff in his office or any other office has ever been lodged. Ever.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Times has not independently corroborated reports of inappropriate behavior.<\/p>\n
An advisor to the congressman\u2019s gubernatorial campaign said they felt they had to speak out because of the brewing tempest weeks before ballots land in voters\u2019 mailboxes in early May.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re speaking out now because we have nothing to hide from,\u201d this advisor said, requesting anonymity to speak candidly. \u201cWe know how the new media ecosystem works. We know how misinformation spreads. The facts of what they have put out don\u2019t line up.\u201d<\/p>\n
This advisor said that campaign employees are required to sign an agreement to not disclose confidential strategic information but that no congressional or campaign employees are asked to sign any agreement regarding Swalwell\u2019s personnel behavior. <\/p>\n
\u201cPeople are coming at him from both sides of the aisle … because he\u2019s the front-runner,\u201d the person said.<\/p>\n
Swalwell said he decided to address the matter because he didn\u2019t want Californians to question his ethics. <\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m offering myself, also, as somebody who is fearlessly going to stand up for Californians, and, you know, on the toughest issues, not flinch,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Former Rep. Katie Porter, one of Swalwell\u2019s top Democratic rivals in the governor\u2019s race, said Tuesday that she was troubled about the claims about the congressman\u2019s behavior.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have seen allegations coming from women staffers. They are very, very troubling allegations,\u201d Porter, who has faced criticism of abusive behavior toward her staffers, said on CNN. \u201cIt\u2019s those women\u2019s stories to tell when they are ready, and I hope they feel safe and supported if they choose to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n
Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, one of the Republican front-runners in the governor\u2019s race, said he expected the allegations to greatly influence the contest.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think in California, Swalwell was only popular because of his hatred for President Trump,\u201d he said on conservative commentator Benny Johnson\u2019s podcast. \u201cHe\u2019s not going to survive this…. He should probably just drop out and save his family.\u201d<\/p>\n
Swalwell entered the campaign to replace termed-out Gov. Gavin Newsom in November, and recent opinion polls show he is among the Democratic front-runners. Swalwell had the support of 13.7% of voters in an average of recent polling compiled by Real Clear Politics, behind only Republican Steve Hilton, a conservative commentator who had an average of 14.7%.<\/p>\n
This is the second controversy Swalwell has faced in recent days. <\/p>\n