Residency Challenge for Swalwell in Gubernatorial Bid

Eric Swalwell, a Democratic candidate for governor of California, is facing accusations from his opponent regarding his residency status, which could affect his eligibility for the position.

On Friday, Ryan Hughes, the general counsel for fellow Democratic contender Tom Steyer, sent a letter to California Secretary of State Dr. Shirley Webber. As reported by POLITICO, Hughes claims that Swalwell only appears to be a resident of California on paper.

Hughes expresses concerns that Swalwell’s Candidate Intention Statement lists a business address instead of a home address. Additionally, Hughes points out that a deed from 2022 names a Washington, D.C. address as Swalwell’s primary residence.

The letter also highlights that Swalwell’s voter registration shows a Livermore address, but public records suggest he may not actually own it or live there. Hughes claims a pattern has emerged since 2018, during which Swalwell reportedly preferred staying at a San Francisco hotel rather than a private residence when in California.

California’s Constitution requires gubernatorial candidates to be U.S. citizens and state residents for five years leading up to the election. However, the Secretary of State’s office has historically viewed these residency requirements as unconstitutional. Hughes is now asking the office to reconsider and enforce this mandate.

A group of California representatives issued a statement Friday, dismissing the challenge to Swalwell’s residency as a politically motivated attack.

“Like all members of the California congressional delegation, we work and live both in this great state and in Washington, DC, representing our constituents in Congress,” the letter stated. “Tom Steyer’s insinuation undermines all of us, pushing a conspiracy that originated in MAGA circles at Donald Trump’s behest.”

In response to the allegations, Swalwell’s attorneys provided a declaration from his landlord asserting that Swalwell and his wife do reside at the California property.

Hughes warns that any uncertainty regarding Swalwell’s eligibility could lead to challenges, potentially giving the Trump administration leverage if Swalwell were to win.

“If elected, questions of legitimacy would loom over Swalwell, allowing the Trump administration to exploit the ambiguity for its own agendas,” Hughes stated. “This could jeopardize California’s federal funding and emergency response capabilities.”

Swalwell later took to social media to respond to Steyer’s claims.

“A big reason billionaires get a bad rap is that they often buy what they want or use legal tactics to get it. But Tom, elections don’t work that way,” Swalwell posted on X, addressing the POLITICO report.

“I receive hundreds of death threats every year. My children are not allowed in the yard. That’s why my address is private. Now, Tom Steyer has put my life and my family’s at risk by exposing my address,” Swalwell said Wednesday. “Tom, you can try to buy this election all you want, but this is low, even for you.”

This legal push by Steyer’s team follows a lawsuit filed earlier this year by conservative filmmaker Joel Gilbert, who also claimed that Swalwell fails to meet residency requirements, as reported by ABC 10.