Aisha Wahab wins California special election, becomes first Afghan American in Congress

California state Sen. Aisha Wahab won a special election Thursday to complete former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term, overcoming millions of dollars in outside spending against her and becoming the first Afghan American elected to Congress.

Wahab, a progressive Democrat, defeated Bay Area Rapid Transit Director Melissa Hernandez in California’s 14th Congressional District, which covers parts of Alameda County east of San Francisco Bay.

She will serve through January, when Swalwell’s term was scheduled to end. Wahab and Hernandez will face each other again in November for a full two-year term.

Swalwell resigned from Congress in April and ended his campaign for California governor after he was accused of sexual assault and harassment. He has denied the allegations.

His departure remains under scrutiny as criminal investigations into the allegations continue.

Federal agents seized electronic devices from Swalwell at San Francisco International Airport over the weekend and later searched his Washington home, according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss it publicly.

Swalwell’s attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Wahab, who entered foster care after losing her parents as a child, framed her victory as both historic and personal.

“I will fight for this district that raised me,” she said in a statement. “From foster care to Congress, this journey shows the possibility of the American Dream.”

Wahab became the first Afghan American elected to public office in the U.S. when she won a Hayward City Council seat in 2018. She later joined the California Legislature, where she focused on housing affordability and access.

Her congressional victory came despite a late surge of outside spending against her. Groups affiliated with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, spent millions supporting Hernandez and thousands opposing Wahab.

Wahab said the result showed the district “cannot be bought.”

The Middle East emerged as a dividing issue during the campaign. At an April candidate forum, Wahab answered “yes” when asked whether she considered “what is happening to the Palestinian people” to be a genocide.

Hernandez did not answer yes or no, saying Israel had a right to defend itself following Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack but that “the destruction into Gaza has gone too far.”

Hernandez, a moderate Democrat, said she was proud of mounting a competitive campaign after Wahab won the June primary decisively.

“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,” Hernandez said.

The rematch in November will determine which Democrat represents the district for the next full congressional term.