California Congressman Eric Swalwell, a Democrat currently campaigning for governor, is facing public allegations of sexual harassment from multiple women, according to Democratic activist and attorney Cheyenne Hunt. Hunt, who previously ran for Congress in 2024 and serves as the executive director of Gen-Z for Change, made the claims early Monday on the social media platform X. She stated that she is representing the alleged victims and that they intend to bring these accusations forward.
"I got involved because the first victim who approached me is a close friend, but when I saw that there were others who’s experiences fit the same pattern of manipulation and abuse of power, I knew I couldn’t stay silent." — Cheyenne Hunt, Democratic Activist and Attorney
The allegations surface as Swalwell, who has held his House seat since 2013, actively seeks the Democratic nomination for California governor. He announced his candidacy in November 2025 during an appearance on comedian Jimmy Kimmel’s television program. A poll released March 11 by Emerson College showed Swalwell leading the field of gubernatorial candidates with 17 percent support, indicating the potential impact of these allegations on a competitive race.
Hunt explained her involvement, stating she was initially contacted by a close friend who is among the alleged victims. After observing what she described as "similarities across multiple accounts," Hunt said she felt compelled to speak out. She detailed that the alleged conduct involves direct messages on social media platforms, including Snapchat, and ranges from "uncomfortable comments" to behavior she characterized as "potentially criminal." Hunt specifically alleged that Swalwell exploited a power dynamic by presenting himself as a mentor to employees, interns, and fans.
The attorney stated that the women involved have secured pro bono legal representation and are in the process of sharing their accounts with journalists. Hunt added that these women are also taking steps to ensure their "physical and legal safety before going public," a process she noted "takes time."
In a video posted to Instagram on March 31, Hunt asserted that Swalwell "has a known history of being predatory towards women." She also mentioned in the video that a message she received was not unique among accounts she had heard from women working on Capitol Hill. During this video, Hunt displayed a text message she claimed was sent to her by a woman, which read: "You know Eric Swalwell has slept with many of his interns and makes them all sign NDAs [non-disclosure agreements] so they don’t speak up, right? And when I was 19 he tried hitting on me and sliding into my DMs."
Hunt acknowledged the legal risks associated with making public statements about a sitting member of Congress. She emphasized her background as an attorney and her full awareness that false statements about a public figure could expose her to a defamation lawsuit. Despite these risks, Hunt stated she chose to proceed, indicating her belief in the veracity of the claims. She also noted that she has not received any legal paperwork from Swalwell’s team, nor has she been served with a cease and desist order, even though she believes his team is aware of her claims. Hunt wrote that "the truth serves as an absolute defense" and implied that Swalwell’s team understands this.
In her posts on X, Hunt directly addressed the broader political implications of her actions. "I do not believe in holding republicans to a different standard than we are willing to uphold ourselves," she wrote. "No more predators in power, from either party, period." She also shared her motivation to support other alleged victims: "Other women needed to know that they were not alone and that someone had their backs if they came forward. After I spoke about my friend’s experience, many brave women came forward and shared their stories with me."
Hunt, who was 26 years old when she ran for Congress in California’s 45th District in 2024, finished fourth in the all-party primary. Her public statements have drawn significant attention, placing the allegations against Congressman Swalwell at the forefront of political discourse, particularly within the context of his high-profile gubernatorial campaign.
