Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) remains adamant that his primary residency is in California despite recent findings showing the Democrat has claimed his Maryland home as his primary residence for two decades.
“I think just about every member of Congress has a residence in their state and a residence back in D.C. since we're in session much of the week," Schiff told KCRA this week. “People make a family decision where they're going to have their kids, but our principal residence, our primary residence, is in California. Always has been and always will be."
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Many other members of Congress have two homes, one in their home state and another on the East Coast, closer to their business at the Capitol. However, it’s uncommon for members of Congress to designate their home outside the state they represent as their primary residence.
Deed records show that Schiff claimed his Maryland home as his primary residence in 2003, CNN reported Friday. In 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012, Schiff refinanced his mortgage, again confirming his Maryland home as his primary residence. In 2020, Schiff refinanced his mortgage again, indicating the Maryland house was his second home, but his children attend local schools, and social media posts show Schiff is living in Maryland.
Marisol Samayoa, a spokeswoman for Schiff’s campaign, told CNN that he moved his family to the D.C. area so he could spend more time with his children because many of his duties require him to be on the East Coast often. She added that Schiff claimed both his California and Maryland homes as primary residences for loan purposes.
“I think it’s honestly a non-issue,” Schiff continued when pressed about having a community in Maryland and a bigger home. “Members of Congress all have a residence on both coasts, and they make a decision based on how far away the Capitol is, and the age of their kids, where they'll get to see most of their kids. It's really as simple as that."
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Having dual residency does not put Schiff in any legal hot water. However, spending less time in the Golden State could create a problem for him in the competitive Senate race, expected to be one of the most expensive congressional primaries ever.
Schiff has been a Los Angeles-area congressman for nearly 23 years, and the House Democrat announced his run for U.S. Senate in January, hoping to succeed the late Sen. Dianne Feinstein in a crowded, high-profile primary race. Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) is narrowly leading Schiff, 17% to 16%, according to a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll co-sponsored by the Los Angeles Times. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA) holds 9%, trailing former Major League Baseball player Steve Garvey at 10%, who announced his Republican bid last month.