California state Senator Aisha Wahab won a special election for the 14th congressional district, defeating moderate Democrat Melissa Hernandez. Wahab secured the victory despite a multi-million-dollar outside spending campaign by pro-Israel super PACs, becoming the first Afghan American elected to the United States Congress.
California state Senator Aisha Wahab captured the 14th congressional district seat previously held by Eric Swalwell, overcoming an influx of late-campaign attack ads and heavy outside spending. US media outlets projected the victory on Thursday afternoon, two days after election day.
Wahab will represent the southeastern San Francisco Bay Area district for the remainder of Swalwell’s term, which concludes in January 2027.
Millions in Outside Spending Target the East Bay Race
The special election was triggered after Swalwell resigned in April amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied. Wahab finished comfortably ahead in June’s primary with over 42 percent of the vote compared to Hernandez’s 17 percent, but the general contest tightened significantly as outside political action committees intervened in the final weeks.
The United Democracy Project, a super PAC affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), spent nearly $2.5m since early August to boost Hernandez. CNN reported that BOLD America, another group receiving funding from AIPAC, deployed an additional $1.9m into the race, bringing total pro-Israel PAC spending past millions.
Personal Background and Legislative History in California
Wahab’s path to Washington included overcoming early personal hardship. Following her father’s murder and her mother’s death, she and her sister spent time in foster care before an Afghan couple in the Bay Area adopted them. She won her first election to the Hayward City Council in 2018 before winning a state Senate seat four years later.
“From foster care to Congress, this journey shows the possibility of the American Dream. Today this district made history by electing the first Afghan American to Congress.”
During her tenure in the California state legislature, Wahab focused heavily on economic and social justice, including housing affordability. She also co-authored a state resolution denouncing the horrific humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza
last year.
Progressive Momentum and the November Rematch
Wahab’s victory mirrors other primary and special election contests where progressive candidates overcame heavy financial disadvantages against establishment-aligned opponents. Her campaign carried endorsements from the California Democratic Party, Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar, and former Chair Pramila Jayapal.
Hernandez, who serves as president of the Bay Area Rapid Transit board, garnered backing from the New Democrat Coalition campaign arm and 11 members of the California congressional delegation, including Bay Area Representatives Zoe Lofgren and Sam Liccardo.
“Congratulations Aisha Wahab on your decisive victory. I look forward to working with you on Medicare for All, a living wage, and ending the war in Iran.”
The contest is far from settled for the long term. Wahab and Hernandez are scheduled for an immediate rematch in November, when both candidates will compete for a full two-year term representing California’s 14th district under a newly redrawn map approved by voters last year.
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