Eric Swalwell’s Bold Housing Pledge Resurfaces: What It Means for Homeowners and Renters

In a surprising political upset, Democrat Eric Swalwell unseated the long-serving Pete Stark in 2012, marking a significant triumph for the then-young county prosecutor. Swalwell’s strategy hinged on scrutinizing Stark’s extensive career. His appeal to San Francisco Bay residents was clear: at 80, Stark’s tenure in Washington was overdue for a conclusion.

In a newly unearthed video, Swalwell emphasizes his local roots to voters, stating, “I live in the district.” He promises to maintain a strong connection with his constituents by regularly traveling back from Washington, as highlighted in a staged interview with a Stark impersonator.

Swalwell further asserts in the clip, “That involves navigating the district’s roads, supporting local businesses, and the fundamental duty of residing within the community.” This footage, dating back to the 2012 campaign, has resurfaced amidst his current aspirations to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom. Swalwell, a leading Democratic contender, is now under scrutiny for his residency claims following progressive billionaire Tom Steyer’s call for an investigation by the California Secretary of State’s office.

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The video from the run-up to the 2012 election has come to light as the congressman seeks to succeed Governor Gavin Newsom and as the Democratic frontrunner faces flak for his residency claims after progressive billionaire Tom Steyer called on the California Secretary of State’s office to investigate.

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Steyer’s petition, first published by Politico last week, argues that Swalwell “appears to live in California on paper only, making him unlikely to meet the basic residency requirements to run for Governor.” 

The California Constitution includes a five-year residency requirement for gubernatorial candidates, though for years, the Secretary of State’s office has considered the requirement unconstitutional and unenforceable.

Swalwell, a former prosecutor who maintains a license with the State Bar, filed a sworn affidavit under penalty of perjury claiming that he has been a California resident since 2006.

He claims he’s lived since 2017 with another family in a 1,350-square-foot Livermore home owned by the sister-in-law of his political mentor, Tim Sbranti.

But five neighbors failed to identify Swalwell on Wednesday when The Post showed them a picture of the congressman and identified him by name.

“I’ve never seen him,” said Gita Prusty, who noted she’s lived on Michell Court for five years.

Despite Swalwell’s claims that he has lived at the Livermore home, campaign records in recent years show the congressman has spent a significant amount of time and money staying at hotels in and around his congressional district.

Swalwell’s campaign declined to answer The Post’s questions about the terms of his lease and why none of his neighbors knew a congressman and leading candidate for California governor had been living on their street for nearly nine years.

“There’s red flags all over the place — that his neighbors don’t know he’s there suggests that he’s not actually there,” Lee Fink, an Orange County attorney, said.

Fink worked in the Obama administration and now serves as a delegate for the California Democratic Party. She told The Post on Thursday that Swalwell’s residency issues have become “a big concern for us Democrats.”

The video, titled, ‘Pete Stark Finally Debates Eric Swalwell…Kind Of’, was released in October of 2012 by Swalwell’s campaign. The promise to fulfill the ‘the basic requirement’ of living in the district can be heard around the 4:50 mark in the clip.