Aisha Wahab Wins Special Election For Swalwell’s Former House Seat

Progressive California state Sen. Aisha Wahab has won the special election to complete former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s unfinished House term, defeating fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez after millions of dollars in outside spending transformed the contest.

Wahab received approximately 53.1 percent of the vote, compared with 46.9 percent for Hernandez, according to preliminary results from the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.

Her victory makes her the first Afghan American elected to Congress. She will represent California’s 14th Congressional District through January.

The two Democrats will face each other again in November, when voters will decide who receives a full two-year term.

Wahab Replaces Swalwell

The seat became vacant after Swalwell resigned from Congress in April amid multiple allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

Swalwell has denied the accusations.

Wahab and Hernandez advanced from California’s nonpartisan special primary in June. Wahab entered the runoff as the clear favorite after finishing more than 25 percentage points ahead of Hernandez.

The general-election contest tightened considerably as outside organizations spent millions supporting Hernandez or opposing Wahab.

Wahab ultimately prevailed by roughly six percentage points, according to the latest count.

AIPAC-Linked Groups Spend Millions

Organizations associated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee played a major role in the race’s final weeks.

United Democracy Project, AIPAC’s affiliated super PAC, reportedly spent nearly $2.5 million supporting Hernandez. Other outside organizations drove total pro-Hernandez and anti-Wahab spending considerably higher.

Reports estimated that more than $5 million was spent targeting Wahab or assisting her opponent. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that AIPAC’s overall involvement may have reached approximately $6.3 million when related spending was included.

The advertising focused largely on Wahab’s state legislative record and public-safety positions rather than making Israel the central issue.

That campaign significantly narrowed the gap between the candidates, but it was not enough to overcome Wahab’s support among progressive voters, labor organizations and the California Democratic establishment.

Progressive Positions Head to Congress

Wahab campaigned from the Democratic Party’s progressive wing and has supported several policies likely to generate national controversy.

During an appearance on left-wing streamer Hasan Piker’s Twitch program, Wahab endorsed Medicare for All, increased taxes on billionaires, federal legislation codifying abortion rights and abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

She has also called for ending U.S. military assistance to Israel while distinguishing weapons transfers from humanitarian aid.

During an earlier debate, Wahab described Israel’s military campaign in Gaza as a “genocide” and voiced support for a free Palestine.

Her victory adds another progressive Democrat to Congress at a time when the party’s socialist and activist wings are defeating establishment candidates across the country.

Hernandez Emphasized Public Safety

Hernandez, president of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Board, presented herself as a more centrist alternative.

Her campaign emphasized housing affordability, public safety and the cost of living. She highlighted endorsements from police officers, firefighters and local officials.

On Israel, Hernandez defended the country’s right to respond to the Oct. 7 Hamas terrorist attacks while arguing that the subsequent destruction in Gaza had gone too far.

Outside groups used Wahab’s state Senate voting record to argue that she was out of step with district voters on criminal justice and public safety.

The strategy made the race substantially more competitive than the June primary but did not produce a victory.

Competing FEC Complaints Surface

The final phase of the campaign also included accusations involving federal election law.

Wahab announced plans to file a Federal Election Commission complaint over social media statements that she characterized as defamatory and potential election interference.

A Hernandez supporter separately filed an FEC complaint alleging that Wahab’s campaign improperly received a $60,000 contribution.

Wahab has disputed that allegation.

The filing of an FEC complaint does not establish that a violation occurred. The commission would need to review the claims and determine whether further action is warranted.

Neither dispute prevented election officials and media organizations from projecting Wahab as the winner.

Historic Victory, Immediate Rematch

Wahab previously became the first Muslim and first Afghan American elected to the California state Senate.

Her congressional victory marks another milestone and ensures that Swalwell’s former seat remains under Democratic control for the remainder of the current term.

It also changes the House balance to 218 Republicans and 213 Democrats, according to Reuters.

The special election does not settle the district’s longer-term representation.

Wahab and Hernandez will return to the ballot in November for a full term. Turnout will be considerably higher during the midterms, and the district’s boundaries for the regular election have changed.

Hernandez can argue that the outside spending helped her turn a June blowout into a competitive race. Wahab can point to her survival against millions of dollars in opposition advertising as evidence of durable progressive support.

The rematch will once again force Democratic voters to choose between an unapologetic progressive and a more centrist candidate emphasizing affordability and public safety.