Congressional Candidate Mired In Scandal
A congressional primary in Utah is being overshadowed by a series of allegations that have quickly escalated both in number and detail, placing Democratic candidate Eva López Chávez under intensified scrutiny.
Four women have now come forward with accusations describing unwanted physical and sexual advances, with incidents allegedly occurring prior to López Chávez’s election to the Salt Lake City Council in 2023. The accounts, reported by the Salt Lake Tribune, include claims from individuals currently active in Utah politics, adding weight to the situation given their public roles and visibility.
Among them is Salt Lake City Councilwoman Victoria Petro, who described an encounter at a 2022 party where she says López Chávez pushed her against a wall and made a sexually explicit remark. Utah State Senator Jen Plumb recounted a separate incident from the same year, saying López Chávez similarly pressed her physically while questioning her sexual orientation. Plumb acknowledged initially downplaying the encounter but later reconsidered its seriousness.
Salt Lake City Councilwoman Eva Lopez Chavez, now a Democrat congressional candidate, once described herself as “a Mexican lesbian shaping downtown.”
She is now facing allegations from four women, including three elected officials, who say she restrained them during advances… pic.twitter.com/U1WkvaNC7a
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) April 23, 2026
Utah State Representative Hoang Nguyen described a more confined situation, alleging that López Chávez asked for a ride after an event, then instructed her to pull over before climbing on top of her and refusing to move until she received a kiss. Nguyen said she complied in order to end the situation.
A fourth allegation comes from Maggie Regier, who described an incident at a 2019 fundraiser where she says López Chávez had to be physically pulled away after becoming increasingly aggressive.
Across these accounts, a pattern is alleged: physical restraint paired with unwanted advances. The consistency in how the encounters are described has become a focal point in the reporting, though none of the claims have been adjudicated in court.
López Chávez has denied the allegations. Through her attorney, she has stated she is prepared to address the claims and is willing to take a polygraph test if requested. As of now, there has been no formal legal finding tied to the accusations.
The situation introduces a significant complication into an already competitive primary race. Allegations involving personal conduct—particularly those describing physical coercion—tend to shift attention away from policy and onto character and accountability. With multiple elected officials among the accusers, the issue is unlikely to fade quickly, especially as the campaign moves closer to decision points for voters.