A social media figure who has helped spread viral allegations against California gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) has academic and political ties to one of his rivals, UC Irvine law professor and former Democratic California Rep. Katie Porter, though Porter denies a direct relationship.
Unverified accusations alleging that Swalwell engaged in inappropriate conduct with younger women have circulated online for weeks, gaining traction in recent days as political operatives, rivals, and social media influencers amplified the claims, including suggestions that women were required to sign nondisclosure agreements.
Swalwell has rejected claims of misconduct involving female staffers, with his campaign arguing the accusations are being driven by online personalities with links to opposing campaigns.
Among those pushing the claims is Cheyenne Hunt, a Laguna Hills-based attorney and a leader of a progressive advocacy organization who graduated from the University of California, Irvine School of Law, the same institution where Porter has long taught.
Hunt began her studies at UC Irvine Law in 2018, around the time Porter was first elected to Congress. During her time in Congress, Porter maintained ties to the university, including living in campus housing while on leave from her faculty role.
University records show Hunt interned on Capitol Hill for a Democratic senator while Porter was in the House. In 2021, Porter also delivered the commencement address at Hunt’s graduation ceremony.
A few years later, Hunt launched her own congressional bid in Orange County and shared a photo with Porter on social media.
“Sharing a background in the @ucilaw community isn’t the only thing I have in common with @repkatieporter,” Hunt wrote in the Instagram post. “She blazed a trail for progressive women in Orange County and that trail opens a path for women like myself to become the first #GenZ woman in Congress serving OC.
The Washington Examiner attempted to contact Hunt via her website but did not receive a response.
Porter’s campaign spokesman, Peter Opitz, told CBS News that Porter and Hunt “don’t have a relationship to speak of” and that Porter “endorsed a different candidate when she was running in a neighboring district.”
Hunt started posting about Swalwell on April 6, encouraging women to speak up against the sitting congressman. She also posted that “the number of credible women who have come forward since I posted my video is pretty shocking and connecting them with the investigative reporting teams who have been working on breaking this for years has greatly expedited this process. I am confident this story will break soon.”
Swalwell’s campaign declined to respond for days as the accusations circulated online, but on Tuesday, it issued a strong rebuttal.
“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,” spokesman Micah Beasley said in a statement. “In 13 years, no one in Eric Swalwell’s Congressional office has ever been asked to sign an NDA. Ever. In 13 years, not a single ethics complaint by any staff in his office or any other office has ever been lodged. Ever.”
Porter called the allegations against Swalwell “troubling” on CNN.
ERIC SWALWELL DENIES SEXUAL HARASSMENT RUMORS AS ALLEGATIONS MOUNT
“I have seen allegations coming from women staffers. They are very, very troubling allegations,” Porter said. “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.”
The Washington Examiner contacted Porter’s campaign for comment but did not receive a response.
