California Democratic gubernatorial candidate Eric Swalwell reportedly rents a single room in a home occupied by a family of three in the eastern Bay Area — and one of his Democratic opponents says it’s just so the congressman can claim he lives in the Golden state.
The alleged discovery of Swalwell’s Livermore rental came from the congressman’s top Democratic opponent, billionaire Tom Steyer. Steyer says Swalwell appears to “live in California on paper only” as the governor race heats up, “making him unlikely to meet the basic residency requirements to run for Governor.”
In a letter from Ryan Hughes, Steyer’s attorney, he called on the Secretary of State Shirley Weber to “enforce a dormant residency requirement in the governor’s race” and encouraged Weber to “allow for robust legal proceedings as to whether Swalwell is eligible to serve as Governor,” preventing any future action by the Trump administration.
“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 in the letter. “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.”
Hughes pointed out that Swalwell purchased a home in Washington D.C. which is listed on a 2022 deed of trust and that deed records did not indicate he has any ownership in the Livermore home.
In the letter, Steyer’s attorney claimed the Livermore address home is “owned by Nicolas and Kristina Mrzywka. 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 an interview, Sbranti said he suggested Swalwell rent a room in the Livermore home “as a way to maintain an affordable base in an expensive district, ” the Sacramento Bee reported.
Hellbound and Down 