Swalwell Rents Room Linked to Former Staffer to Claim CA Residency

Congressman's Democratic rival questions his eligibility to run for governor over residency concerns.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:38am

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Rep. Eric Swalwell, who is running for governor of California, has been renting a single room in a home in Livermore, California that is owned by the sister of his former district director. This has raised questions about whether Swalwell truly meets the residency requirements to run for governor, with his Democratic primary opponent Tom Steyer calling on the Secretary of State to investigate.

Why it matters

Swalwell's residency has become a point of contention in the California governor's race, with concerns that if elected, questions about his legitimacy could be exploited by the Trump administration to undermine his authority and access to federal resources. The dispute highlights the importance of candidates meeting basic eligibility requirements to serve in elected office.

The details

Public records show the Livermore home is a 3-bedroom, 1,350-square-foot house owned by Nicolas and Kristina Mrzywka. Kristina is the sister of Stephanie Sbranti, the wife of Tim Sbranti, Swalwell's former deputy chief of staff and district director. Sbranti reportedly suggested Swalwell rent the room as an 'affordable base' in the district. Deed searches show no other property ownership for Swalwell in California, while he is listed as the buyer of a home in Washington, D.C. in 2022 that he claims as his primary residence.

  • Swalwell began renting the room in Livermore in June 2017.
  • Swalwell is currently running for governor of California in 2026.

The players

Eric Swalwell

A U.S. Representative from California who is running for governor of the state in 2026.

Tom Steyer

A billionaire and Swalwell's Democratic primary opponent in the 2026 California governor's race.

Kristina Mrzywka

The owner of the Livermore home that Swalwell is renting a room in.

Stephanie Sbranti

The sister of Kristina Mrzywka and the wife of Tim Sbranti, Swalwell's former deputy chief of staff and district director.

Tim Sbranti

Swalwell's former deputy chief of staff and district director, who reportedly suggested Swalwell rent the room in Kristina Mrzywka's home.

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What they’re saying

“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.'”

— Tom Steyer, Democratic Opponent

“If elected, questions of legitimacy would hang over Swalwell, allowing the Trump Administration to sow doubt, exploit the ambiguity, and advance its perverse agendas. 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.”

— Ryan Hughes, Attorney for Tom Steyer

“Like all members of the California congressional delegation, we work and live both in this great state and in Washington, DC, representing our constituents in Congress. Tom Steyer's insinuation that there is something wrong with that undermines us all. Steyer is pushing a bogus residency conspiracy that originated in MAGA circles at Donald Trump's bidding.”

— California Congressional Democrats

What’s next

The California Secretary of State will determine whether Swalwell meets the residency requirements to run for governor, with a decision expected in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

This dispute over Swalwell's residency highlights the importance of candidates meeting basic eligibility requirements to serve in elected office, and the potential for such issues to be exploited for political gain, even when the candidate's intent may be to maintain an affordable base in their district.