Lefty California Rep. Eric Swalwell is forcefully pushing back against a lawsuit claiming he can’t run for governor because he doesn’t actually live in the Golden State, calling the accusation “nonsense” and politically motivated.
In an exclusive statement to The Post, his campaign’s general consultant said Swalwell has always maintained a California residence.
Security concerns tied to repeated death threats against Swalwell explain why a campaign office address was listed on legal filings, according to campaign consultant Kate Maeder. She called the practice legal and common in California politics.
Right-wing filmmaker Joel Gilbert, who filed the suit, claims Swalwell actually lives in Washington, D.C., and therefore fails to meet California’s five-year residency requirement to run for governor.
Gilbert alleged Swalwell owns no California property and pointed to a campaign filing listing a Sacramento office address rather than a personal residence, arguing the congressman should be disqualified from the ballot.
Swalwell’s team dismissed the case as a stunt, noting the claim comes from a MAGA blogger who has previously promoted fringe theories. They noted that the congressman holds a California driver’s license and pays California taxes.
“Since joining Congress, Eric Swalwell has always maintained a residence in the Bay Area,” said Maeder. “He has continuously held a California driver’s license, paid California taxes and kept deep roots here.”
The complaint zeroes in on a December campaign filing that listed a Sacramento office address — which Gilbert says belongs to Swalwell’s attorney — instead of a personal residence. It also points to Swalwell’s Washington, D.C., home being listed as his “official” address.
Maeder said the address issue is about security, not residency.
“Because of the thousands of death threats the Congressman has received, it is perfectly legal to list a campaign office address on filings,” she said. “This nonsense comes from a MAGA blogger who once made a film claiming Elvis is still alive. We look forward to beating him in court.”
Swalwell’s team also highlighted his nearly 2 million airline miles accumulated since his election to Congress in 2012 — evidence, they say, of constant travel between Washington and California.
“Do you think someone without a California residence racks up almost two million miles going back and forth?” Maeder said.
Under the California Constitution, candidates for governor must have lived in the state for five consecutive years before the election. Gilbert argues Swalwell doesn’t qualify and should be kicked off the ballot.
Swalwell’s campaign calls the claim legally flimsy and politically motivated, noting it’s common practice for candidates — especially those facing credible threats — to use campaign or attorney addresses on public filings.
