Chuck Park Faces Criticism Over Residency in Congressional Race

A left-handed candidate, Chuck Park, is under scrutiny for attempting to challenge incumbent Rep. Grace Meng, despite not residing in the district he seeks to represent.

Park, who previously served on the city council and is supported by the Working Families Party, recently acknowledged at a Bayside Hills Civic Association meeting that he lives in a neighboring district. “I live a block away from this neighborhood,” he stated, as recorded in a meeting transcript.

His residence, located in Jackson Heights, falls under the district of fellow congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, as confirmed by property records.

Technically, members of Congress are only required to reside in their state, not the specific district they represent. However, this situation has raised questions among constituents.

During the meeting, Park attempted to connect with attendees by sharing that he grew up working at his family’s store nearby, saying, “My life was and still is deeply connected to this neighborhood.” He mentioned that boundary lines were adjusted during redistricting, which he claims cut him off from the district.

His address has been part of Ocasio-Cortez’s and former Rep. Joe Crowley’s districts since 2012 but temporarily shifted to Meng’s 6th Congressional District for two years before reverting back.

“Park’s campaign seems built on borrowed slogans and associations,” remarked state Rep. Sam Berger, who is an ally of Meng.

Moreover, Park’s credibility has come under fire due to a past interview where he expressed controversial views and was also criticized for his association with the Trump administration.

A spokesperson for Meng commented, “Chuck Park was nowhere to be found until he started campaigning on the biggest issues facing Queens.” They also expressed skepticism about Park’s commitment to the district, given his residency status. “Who is the real Chuck Park? I don’t even know if he knows,” they added.

In defending himself, Park emphasized his pride in his community and the struggles of local families. He stated, “On June 23rd, we can vote out corruption and complacency.” However, he notably refrained from addressing whether he would relocate to the district if elected.