California Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell canceled a town hall event in Palm Desert on Thursday as his gubernatorial campaign is facing swirling allegations on social media over possible inappropriate conduct with female staffers.
The congressman’s campaign said the cancellation was because he was sick, according to KRON-4 News, but that is not stopping the rest of the field from taking notice.
“Day 2 of [Swalwell] hiding from voters and reporters. That’s not leadership — that’s someone with something to hide,” Democrat challenger Antonio Villaraigosa posted to X.
Multiple surveys indicate that the congressman is the leading Democrat in the top-two primary election set for June, as he faces Trump-backed Republican Steve Hilton, billionaire climate activist Tom Steyer, Republican Chad Bianco, and numerous other Democrats.
As for the allegations against Swalwell, claims went viral on social media, including that he may have made interns sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) following misconduct. The details released so far have been minimal, as nobody with a direct accusation has come forward as of Friday.
“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, a spokesperson for Swalwell’s campaign, told Politico earlier this week.
One of the influencer accounts amplifying the accusations, “Mrs. Frazzled,” wrote in an X post on Thursday, “you can be frustrated with me. That’s fine!”
“I am using my platform to draw awareness to the fact that this is being investigated and that awareness has been so important,” the account wrote. “These women deserve to know they are not the only ones and more & more people have come forward every day.”
Democratic activist Cheyenne Hunt, executive director of Gen-Z for Change, shared a screenshot to Instagram earlier this week regarding the NDA accusations and took to X to call the statement made to Politico by Beasley “forced, false, and a clear signal they are bracing for impact.”
“The Swalwell team also suggested that these women have ‘teamed up with MAGA’ – which is just gross, especially when so many are risking careers they built in democratic politics,” Hunt wrote.
The accusations are not the only controversies that have entrenched Swalwell throughout the race, as he previously faced a lawsuit over his California residency, as well as concerns years later about his possible ties to a Chinese operative known as “Fang Fang.”
Whoever wins the general election will succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-CA), who has not endorsed a candidate in the race.
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