Aisha Wahab Wins California Special Election Despite Pro-Israel PAC Efforts to Uphold U.S. Ally
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State Senator Aisha Wahab defeated Democrat Melissa Hernandez in California’s 14th district, after a contentious race that saw significant investment from pro-Israel groups concerned about Wahab’s anti-Israel rhetoric.
State Senator Aisha Wahab emerged victorious in the special election for California’s 14th congressional district, taking over the seat vacated by Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April. Both Wahab and Bay Area Rapid Transit board member Melissa Hernandez, Democrats, advanced from the June 16 primary, with Wahab receiving 43% of the vote and Hernandez 17%. In the runoff, Wahab narrowly led with 53% of the counted votes to Hernandez’s 47%.
The race drew substantial outside spending, particularly from a super PAC associated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, which invested approximately $2.5 million in the final weeks to oppose Wahab. This was in response to Wahab’s inflammatory statements, including labeling Israel’s actions in Gaza as genocide—a claim she prominently featured on her campaign website. Hernandez, by contrast, was the only candidate who refused to endorse such extreme language when questioned at an April forum.
The outcome highlights the ongoing struggle to counter radical anti-Israel sentiment in American politics, despite the efforts of pro-Israel organizations that have successfully supported House candidates in other states.