A potentially explosive twist has emerged in California’s governor’s race. Eric Swalwell—the same politician openly threatening to punish and dismantle ICE—may not even be legally qualified to run. A filmmaker is now alleging that Swalwell doesn’t actually live in California at all, raising serious questions about his residency and eligibility.
WOW: Filmmaker Joel Gilbert just dropped a B0MB SHELL court filing claiming far-left Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is ineligible to run for California Governor — because he doesn't actually live in the state.
Public records allegedly show no California residence, with his listed… pic.twitter.com/KSGztLef3N
— RedWave Press (@RedWave_Press) January 19, 2026
WOW: Filmmaker Joel Gilbert just dropped a B0MB SHELL court filing claiming far-left Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA) is ineligible to run for California Governor — because he doesn’t actually live in the state.
Public records allegedly show no California residence, with his listed address tied to a lawyer’s office, while he reportedly lives in a $1.2M DC mansion.
Gilbert told the Daily Mail: “Either he’s guilty of mortgage fraud in Washington, DC, or he’s ineligible to run for governor of California. He can’t have it both ways.”
According to Article V, section II, of the California constitution, “The governor shall be an elector who has been a citizen of the United States and a resident of this state for 5 years immediately preceding the governor’s election.”
According to Fox News, the court filing claims that Swalwell doesn’t live in the state of California, but reportedly lives in a $1.2 million D.C. mansion. More:
He has all the liberal policies and anti-Trump bona fides needed to become California Governor.
But US Rep. Eric Swalwell is facing one major hurdle in his bid to succeed Gavin Newsom – allegedly he doesn’t actually live there.
The California constitution requires gubernatorial candidates to have resided in the Golden State for the previous five years.
But a new lawsuit filed by conservative activist and filmmaker Joel Gilbert claims the ‘home address’ listed on Swalwell’s election paperwork is actually a lawyers’ office.
Gilbert claims the Democrat’s real abode is a $1.2 million, six-bed mansion in Washington, D.C. which he shares with his wife Brittany Watts, 40, and their three children.
According to the complaint, the swish property was listed as the couple’s ‘principal residence’ when they took out a mortgage in April 2022.
Swalwell, who is considered one of the favorites to win the gubernatorial race, does not appear to own any property in California at all, Gilbert claims in his five-page petition for writ of mandate filed against California Secretary of State Shirley Weber.
The California constitution is crystal clear on this. Article V, Section II says, “The governor shall be an elector who has been a citizen of the United States and a resident of this state for 5 years immediately preceding the governor’s election.”
My lawsuit to remove Eric Swalwell from the California ballot for governor is the lead story right now on Daily Mail:
'California governor race thrown into chaos as Democrat candidate Eric Swalwell is accused of lying about living in state'https://t.co/hrYPYOi5IA
— Joel Gilbert (@JoelSGilbert) January 18, 2026
Naturally, Swalwell is dismissing the claims – but that isn’t going to get him off the hook, and I’ll explain why:
This made me laugh.
Like all Congressmen from CA, I live in CA & DC.
This MAGA idiot also tried to smear The Obamas, Al Gore, and Elvis!
They ignored him. But I’ll be beat him in court.
Hope you made some money on your fantastic filmography, Joel! https://t.co/XwZZSCpSCp https://t.co/DGoQJRnAmO
— Eric Swalwell (@ericswalwell) January 18, 2026
As conservative influence Mila Joy pointed out on the X platform, there could be a bigger problem for Swalwell: Mortgage fraud…
Enjoying our conservative news and commentary? Make sure you share and tell your friends about us!
If Eric Swalwell says his principal residence is in California, he committed mortgage fraud. He bought a house in DC and said it would be his principal residence.
If he says his principal residence is in DC he CANNOT run for Governor because he must have declared CA as his primary residence for 5 years.
He’s cooked.
Gilbert alleges that Swalwell inaccurately listed his attorney’s address as his home address on the candidate intention statement: “Eric – What is your California address? Why did you perjure yourself on your candidate statement using your attorney’s address for your home address below?”
Eric – What is your California address? Why did you perjure yourself on your candidate statement using your attorney's address for your home address below? pic.twitter.com/8V3sUsDqef
— Joel Gilbert (@JoelSGilbert) January 19, 2026
No doubt there will be some more twists and turns as this story progresses and the court battles play out, but one thing seems certain already: This clown’s path to the California governor’s mansion just got a lot murkier.
