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The relevant factors for which state one can represent are best determined by the voters in that state. It's a persuasive rather than a dispositive factor. It's a perfectly legit criticism to lob, but voters are perfectly free to ignore it if they feel an outsider represents their interests better than an insider for various reasons.
It's a tradition that dates prior to the revolution, wealthy Englishmen were known to buy "rotten boroughs" where there were few enough votes and they were obedient enough that enough money could buy a seat in the Commons.
I'm on the record here crucifying Dr Oz for running for the PA Senate seat, on the other hand I support(Ed) McCormick's run for the same seat. Neither currently lived in PA, McCormick grew up in PA, and his family was prominent in PA before. Oz' ties were based on his in laws and part of his education, at best. That's a judgment I made personally, at the booth.
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