A bizarre residency controversy is suddenly hovering over Rep. Eric Swalwell’s California gubernatorial ambitions — and critics say the Democrat may be clinging to the thinnest possible claim that he actually lives in the state he hopes to govern.
According to reporting that surfaced during the heated governor’s race, Swalwell reportedly rents a single room inside a modest home occupied by a family of three near Fresno. One rival says the arrangement looks less like a permanent residence and more like a political technicality designed to keep Swalwell eligible to run.
The accusations are coming from within the Democrat ranks themselves. Billionaire candidate Tom Steyer, Swalwell’s leading Democratic opponent in the race, says the congressman’s living situation suggests he “live[s] in California on paper only.”
Steyer’s legal team argues that could mean Swalwell fails to meet the state’s basic residency requirement to become governor.
In a sharply worded letter to California Secretary of State Shirley Weber, Steyer attorney Ryan Hughes urged officials to investigate.
Hughes called on Weber to “enforce a dormant residency requirement in the governor’s race” and encouraged the state to “allow for robust legal proceedings as to whether Swalwell is eligible to serve as Governor.”
The attorney warned that uncertainty about residency could create a serious constitutional headache.
“If elected, questions of legitimacy would hang over Swalwell, allowing the Trump Administration to sow doubt, exploit the ambiguity, and advance its perverse agendas,” Hughes wrote. “The Trump Administration could question Swalwell’s legitimacy as Governor and, therefore, imperil California’s receipt of federal funds, the state’s ability to deploy the California National Guard, and act in emergencies.”
The letter also raises questions about property records.
According to Hughes, Swalwell purchased a home in Washington, D.C., documented in a 2022 deed of trust. However, the attorney says deed records do not show Swalwell holding any ownership stake in the Livermore residence he lists as his California address.
Steyer’s legal team dug further into the ownership of the Livermore property. The home, the letter claims, is owned by Nicolas and Kristina Mrzywka.
Hughes explained the connection in detail: “Kristina Mrzywka (formerly Kristina Pinto) is the sister of Stephanie Sbranti (formerly Stephanie Pinto), who is married to Tim Sbranti. Swalwell’s former deputy chief of staff/district director (2015–2018) and a longtime mentor who helped introduce him to politics.”
In other words, critics suggest the living arrangement may involve a property owned by people within Swalwell’s extended political network.
Tim Sbranti did not deny helping arrange the situation. In an interview with the Sacramento Bee, he acknowledged suggesting the rental setup. According to Sbranti, he recommended Swalwell rent a room in the Livermore house “as a way to maintain an affordable base in an expensive district.”
Still, Steyer’s team says the issue is not merely political optics but legal precedent. Hughes noted that since at least 2018, the Secretary of State’s office has taken the position that California’s five-year gubernatorial residency requirement may actually be unconstitutional under the U.S. Constitution — a stance that could complicate enforcement.
Swalwell’s legal team quickly pushed back against the allegations. On March 6, his attorneys submitted a sworn declaration from landlord Kristina Mrzywka defending the legitimacy of the arrangement.
“Under penalty of perjury,” she wrote, “I entered a lease agreement with Eric and Brittany Swalwell in June 2017 for a property that I own in Livermore, California. Mr. and Mrs. Swalwell has leased the property from me since June 2017.”
The statement insists the congressman maintains a real presence there.
“Mr. Swalwell pays rent pursuant to our lease agreement every month. He lives at the property when he is in the East Bay, and keeps significant belongings there. Mr. Swalwell receives mail at the property and is registered to vote at the address.”
Property listings add another wrinkle to the story. Zillow describes the residence as a three-bedroom, roughly 1,350-square-foot home currently occupied by a family of three, according to the Sacramento Bee. Swalwell himself also submitted a declaration stating he has been a resident of California since 2006.
