Aisha Wahab wins special election for Eric Swalwell's House seat

Aug 20, 2026

Progressive state Senator Aisha Wahab has won the special runoff election for California's 14th Congressional District, defeating moderate Democrat Melissa Hernandez with 53.1% of the vote. Wahab makes history as the first Afghan American elected to Congress, filling the seat vacated by Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April 2026 amid sexual misconduct allegations. Wahab secured the victory despite over $3 million in opposition spending from AIPAC-aligned super PACs. The two candidates will face a rematch in the November 3, 2026, general election.

Wahab special election victory

▪Aisha Wahab and Melissa Hernandez will face each other again in the November 3, 2026, general election to determine who will represent the slightly redrawn East Bay district for a full term.
▪Aisha Wahab led Melissa Hernandez 53.1% to 46.9% following an August 20, 2026, ballot update from Alameda County elections officials, with the Associated Press declaring Wahab the winner.
▪California state Senator Aisha Wahab won the special runoff election on August 18, 2026, to complete the term of former Representative Eric Swalwell in California's 14th Congressional District.

Swalwell sexual misconduct resignation

▪Former Representative Eric Swalwell resigned from his congressional seat and dropped his bid for California governor in April 2026 following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct from multiple women.
▪Former Representative Eric Swalwell denied the sexual assault and misconduct allegations that led to his resignation from Congress and his exit from the California gubernatorial race.

AIPAC super PAC spending

▪The super PAC American Priorities spent over $200,000 on advertisements supporting Aisha Wahab to counter the spending of groups aligned with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
▪The super PAC BOLD America, which receives funding from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, spent $1.9 million on advertising targeting Aisha Wahab's record.
▪The American Israel Public Affairs Committee's super PAC, United Democracy Project, spent between $2 million and $3 million on advertising to oppose Aisha Wahab and support Melissa Hernandez.

Hernandez campaign platform

▪Melissa Hernandez defended Israel's right to defend itself and secure the release of hostages following the October 7, 2023, attacks, while stating that the destruction in Gaza has gone too far.
▪Melissa Hernandez, the president of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Board and former mayor of Dublin, California, campaigned on public safety, housing affordability, and her identity as a Latina mother.

Progressive versus centrist Democrats

▪Aisha Wahab has criticized Israel's military actions in Gaza, describing them as a genocide and calling for an end to U.S. military weapons funding to Israel.
▪Aisha Wahab campaigned on progressive policies including making healthcare and childcare more affordable, preventing corporate price-gouging, and protecting social safety net programs.
▪Aisha Wahab co-authored a 2025 California state Senate resolution calling for an end to the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas.

First Afghan American representative

▪Aisha Wahab, who spent time in foster care as a child, was previously elected to the Hayward City Council in 2018 and the California state Senate in 2022.
▪Aisha Wahab's victory makes her the first person of Afghan descent and the first Afghan American elected to the United States Congress.