LIVERMORE, Calif. (Diya TV) — Questions about Rep. Eric Swalwell’s residency claims have intensified after several neighbors said they have never seen the congressman at the home where he says he has lived since 2017.
Five residents who live on the same cul-de-sac in Livermore told The California Post they do not recognize Swalwell and have never met him. The statements come as the Democratic lawmaker faces a lawsuit and growing criticism over whether he meets California’s residency requirements while preparing for a statewide campaign. The issue has drawn attention from political opponents and legal experts who question whether Swalwell truly maintains a residence in California while serving in Congress.
Several residents on Michell Court in Livermore said they were surprised to learn that Swalwell listed a home on their street as his residence. Gita Prusty, who has lived on the cul-de-sac for five years, said she had never seen the congressman around the neighborhood.
“I’ve never seen him,” Prusty said after being shown a photograph of Swalwell.
Lauren Antony, 19, lives two houses away from the address connected to Swalwell. She told The California Post she had also never seen him in the area.
“All of my life,” she said when asked how long she has lived on the street, adding that the lawmaker did not look familiar to her.
Another neighbor who has lived next door to the property since 2005 said she had never recognized the congressman either. A man who left the same home later told reporters, “I’ve never seen that man around.” The Livermore home is located on a quiet cul-de-sac with seven houses. Public records show the property is owned by Nicholas and Kristina Mrzywka.
Swalwell has stated under oath that he has been a California resident since 2006 and has lived in Livermore since 2017. He filed an affidavit declaring that he maintains his domicile in the state while serving in Washington.
Kristina Mrzywka also submitted an affidavit saying Swalwell and his wife signed a lease for the property in June 2017. She wrote that the congressman stays at the home when he visits the East Bay and keeps his personal belongings there. The house itself appears modest compared with several hotels where Swalwell has reportedly stayed during campaign travel. Reporters visiting the property said no one answered the door when they knocked.
Federal campaign finance records show that Swalwell’s campaign spent money on multiple hotel stays in and around his congressional district in recent years. Records indicate the congressman made 19 charges in 2024 at the luxury Rosewood Sand Hill in Menlo Park. Additional charges appeared for stays at hotels in San Francisco, including the 1 Hotel San Francisco and the Hotel Griffon.
Campaign records also show several charges at the Rose Hotel in nearby Pleasanton, which sits less than eight miles from the Livermore residence tied to Swalwell. Earlier records from 2021 and 2022 show hotel charges at the Fairmont San Francisco and the Hotel Adagio. Critics say the frequent hotel stays raise questions about whether the congressman actually lives at the Livermore property.
The controversy gained momentum after filmmaker Joel Gilbert filed a lawsuit in January challenging Swalwell’s residency claims. Gilbert previously reported the address linked to the congressman. The lawsuit later gained attention when billionaire activist Tom Steyer urged California officials to examine the issue. Steyer called on the state to investigate whether Swalwell qualifies to appear on the ballot for statewide office.
Attorney Ryan Hughes, who represents Steyer, argued that Swalwell may be a California resident “on paper only.” Hughes said officials should review whether the congressman meets the legal requirements to run for statewide office.
Under the California Constitution, candidates for governor must live in the state for at least five years before the election. Jessica Levinson, a professor at Loyola Law School, said residency laws usually require both a physical presence and the intent to remain in the state.
“It looks like there’s a real problem here,” Levinson said after reviewing the details reported by The California Post.
She added that critics could argue the congressman has not met the constitutional residency requirement.
Swalwell rejected the criticism and blamed political opponents for putting his family’s safety at risk. In a social media post, he said he receives frequent threats and keeps his address private for security reasons.
“I receive hundreds of death threats every year,” he wrote. “My children are not allowed in the yard.”
He also accused Steyer and others of endangering his family by publicizing the address.
It remains unclear whether California officials will investigate the residency claims. State Attorney General Rob Bonta has previously stated that the law does not require the secretary of state to investigate where candidates actually live. For now, the controversy continues to fuel debate over Swalwell’s residency and eligibility as the political battle over California’s future leadership intensifies.
