Candidates Have Sought Office Outside Their Districts
Federal law allows House candidates to run for seats even if they live outside the specific district boundaries.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Residential
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Across the country, several congressional candidates are running for seats in districts where they do not currently reside. This occurs because the U.S. Constitution requires House members to live in the state they represent, but not necessarily in their specific district.
Why it matters
Redistricting often shifts residential addresses outside of district lines, forcing candidates to run in new boundaries where they maintain community ties. Some candidates address this by pledging to move into their districts after winning the election.
Four out of nine current Arizona congressional representatives live outside their districts, a situation mirroring candidacies in New York and Virginia. Candidates like Jay Feely have plans to move into their respective districts, in some cases building new homes to meet residency expectations.
The players
Elaine Luria
A former representative for Virginia's 2nd District who served two terms before losing her 2022 midterm election.
Amish Shah
A congressional candidate currently running for Arizona's 1st District while living outside the district boundaries.
Jay Feely
A congressional candidate for Arizona's 1st District who has committed to building a new house to relocate within the district.
Nick LaLota
A political candidate competing for New York's 1st Congressional District seat from a residence located outside the district.
J. Matt Baker
A political candidate running for Virginia's 2nd Congressional District while residing outside the district limits.
The details
Redistricting changes, such as those passed by the Virginia legislature in 2021, can push a candidate's home address into a neighboring district. In cases where maps were contested in court, like those in Arizona and New York, the shifting boundaries have left some incumbents living just outside their represented areas. Candidates typically maintain these campaigns by leveraging long-standing ties to the community or by initiating construction on new properties within the district.
Timeline
2019: Elaine Luria began her first two terms in Congress.
2021: The Virginia legislature performed a redistricting of House lines.
2022: Elaine Luria lost her midterm election.
August 2026: The RNC cited an article concerning Luria's second home.
The Home Front
This trend highlights how local residency impacts federal representation under the U.S. Constitution's Article I residency requirements. While redistricting frequently forces changes to district boundaries, federal law provides the flexibility for candidates to serve their communities from nearby.
Homeowners in districts with candidates living outside the area should verify the candidate's stated relocation plans if residency is a factor in their voting decision. Check your official state election website to confirm the current district boundaries and any residency requirements specific to your local ballot.
The takeaway
While candidates are legally permitted to run from outside their immediate district, voters should evaluate the candidate's specific commitment to moving into the neighborhood. Keep track of local redistricting announcements to understand how your specific address might fall into new or shifting Congressional boundaries.
Further reading
Learn more about local housing impacts and community changes in the United States Residential section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Hill.
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