Aisha Wahab Wins Special Election to Complete Eric Swalwell's Congressional Term
California state Senator Aisha Wahab secured the 14th District seat in a special election, becoming the first Afghan-American member of Congress and will serve until the term ends in January.
California state Senator Aisha Wahab won Thursday's special election to fill the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell's term in the 14th Congressional District, which includes parts of Alameda County. Wahab, a progressive Democrat, defeated Bay Area Rapid Transit Director Melissa Hernandez despite significant outside spending supporting Hernandez in the final weeks of the race.
Wahab, who previously served on the Hayward City Council, said her victory demonstrates that the district "cannot be bought." > "I will fight for this district that raised me," she said in a statement, adding that her journey from foster care to Congress reflects the American Dream.
The election follows Swalwell's resignation in April after he ended his gubernatorial campaign amid sexual-assault allegations, which he denies. Federal investigators have recently seized electronic devices from Swalwell at San Francisco airport and searched his Washington, D.C., home as part of the ongoing probe.
During her legislative career, Wahab has focused on housing affordability and authored a 2023 bill to ban caste-based discrimination, a measure later vetoed by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Hernandez, a moderate Democrat, pledged to continue competing for the seat in the November election that will decide the next full two-year term. > "I've been a fighter my whole life, and when I promised the residents of CA-14 I would fight for them, I never gave up," she said.
The race also featured a contentious discussion on the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Wahab affirming that the situation constitutes genocide, while Hernandez emphasized Israel's right to self-defense but criticized the extent of destruction in Gaza.