There are certain truths in American politics that remain as constant as the North Star. One of them is this: voters tend to prefer their representatives actually live in the districts they claim to represent. It is a simple principle, rooted in the common sense notion that you cannot truly understand the concerns of working families in suburban Massachusetts if you are sipping coffee on Capitol Hill most mornings.
Dan Koh, a former senior official in the Biden White House, now finds himself navigating these treacherous waters as he campaigns for Massachusetts’ 6th Congressional District. The race opened up when Democratic Representative Seth Moulton decided to make a run for the Senate, and Koh jumped into what has become a crowded field.
He arrives with impressive credentials and a notable endorsement from former Vice President Kamala Harris, who recently described him as a “fighter” who “knows how to get things done.” Harris made these comments while on her book tour in New York City, where she also suggested that Democrats have “so many stars” ready to lead the party forward.
Yet Koh’s candidacy faces a fundamental question about where he actually hangs his hat at the end of the day. Public records tell an interesting story. According to the District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue, Koh and his wife purchased a $1.3 million home in an upscale neighborhood near Capitol Hill in 2022. This is not some modest pied-à-terre for occasional visits to the nation’s capital. This is a substantial investment in one of Washington’s most desirable areas.
To be fair, Koh does own property within the district he seeks to represent. He and his wife bought a home in Andover, Massachusetts, for $810,000 in 2019, according to the North Essex Registry of Deeds. Andover sits squarely within the 6th Congressional District’s boundaries. But the timing raises eyebrows. The Massachusetts property came first, followed by the more expensive Washington residence three years later, well before any congressional campaign was announced.
Amy Carnevale, chair of the Massachusetts Republican Party, did not mince words about the situation. She suggested that “living full-time in D.C. with a no-show house in Massachusetts seems to be a family tradition amongst MassDems.” Carnevale also took aim at Senator Ed Markey, whom she said has earned the nickname “Senator from Chevy Chase” because “he is rarely seen in his alleged hometown in Massachusetts.”
These criticisms tap into a deeper frustration among voters who increasingly feel disconnected from their elected officials. The question is not whether Koh technically meets residency requirements. The question is about authenticity and connection to the community one seeks to serve.
In an era when trust in institutions continues to erode, when Americans across the political spectrum express concern that their representatives have lost touch with everyday struggles, these details matter. They matter to voters who want someone who understands their schools, their roads, their local economy, not just in theory but through daily experience.
The Democratic primary will ultimately decide whether voters in Massachusetts’ 6th District believe Koh can effectively represent their interests, regardless of which house he calls home. But make no mistake, this issue will not simply fade away. In politics, as in real estate, location matters.
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