The increasingly heated California governor’s race took a sharp turn this week as Rep. Eric Swalwell accused fellow Democrat Tom Steyer’s campaign of putting his family in danger by making his personal address public.
The dispute began late last week when Ryan Hughes, general counsel for Steyer, sent a letter to the California secretary of state raising questions about Swalwell’s residency. Hughes alleged that the congressman “appears to live in California on paper only,” suggesting that Swalwell might not meet the residency requirements necessary to run for governor.
In making the claim, Hughes included Swalwell’s Livermore address in the letter and encouraged reporters to verify whether the congressman actually lived there.
The move triggered a furious response from Swalwell, who took to social media Wednesday night to accuse Steyer of recklessly endangering his family.
“I receive hundreds of death threats every year,” Swalwell wrote. “My children are not allowed in the yard. That’s why my address is private.”
Swalwell said that by releasing the address, Steyer’s campaign had placed him and his family in harm’s way.
“And now Tom Steyer has not only put my life at risk but also my family’s by releasing my address,” he said.
The congressman also accused media outlets of escalating the situation after the information became public.
“And the California Post and Daily Mail took his bait and are harassing my neighbors,” Swalwell wrote.
Swalwell concluded his message with a direct swipe at his rival.
“Tom, you can try to buy this election all you want, but this is low, even for you.”
For its part, the Steyer campaign argued the issue was about basic qualifications for office, not personal attacks.
Hughes’s letter contended that Swalwell might struggle to meet the state’s residency requirements if questions about where he actually lives remain unresolved.
“If elected, questions of legitimacy would hang over Swalwell,” the letter stated.
The letter also warned that uncertainty about residency could create complications if Swalwell were to win the governor’s office.
According to Hughes, such doubts could allow the Trump administration to challenge the governor’s legitimacy, potentially affecting California’s ability to receive federal funds, deploy the California National Guard, or respond effectively during emergencies.
Swalwell’s campaign quickly pushed back against the claims.
Campaign spokesperson Micah Beasley said the decision to publicize the congressman’s address was irresponsible given the security concerns surrounding Swalwell and his family.
“Last Friday, Steyer’s campaign released Rep. Eric Swalwell’s personal address in Livermore,” Beasley said in a statement. “This self-indulgent political act was negligent and thoughtless.”
Beasley added that Swalwell has faced persistent threats as a result of his political role and public profile.
“As the Congressman is taking on Donald Trump, Swalwell has had to implement extreme security measures to protect himself and his family,” Beasley said.
He noted that Swalwell received more than 100 death threats last year, many directed toward members of his family.
“When it comes to serious safety precautions, Steyer should do better,” Beasley concluded.
Meanwhile, the controversy has also fueled scrutiny of the residency question itself.
California Post reporter Josh Koehn wrote on X that several residents living on the same cul-de-sac where Swalwell claims to have lived since 2017 said they had never met the congressman.
“Five people who live on the cul-de-sac where Eric Swalwell claims he’s lived since 2017 told @CaliforniaPost that they have never met the congressman,” Koehn posted.
One resident reportedly said, “I’ve never seen that man around.”
According to campaign records cited by Koehn, Swalwell frequently stays at hotels in or near his congressional district.
As the race unfolds, the clash highlights how quickly political competition can spill beyond policy debates and into deeply personal territory, raising questions not just about qualifications for office, but also about the boundaries campaigns are willing to cross in pursuit of victory.
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