Progressive Democrat Aisha Wahab wins California special election for Swalwell's seat

Published Aug 21, 06:24 AM UTC

California state Sen. Aisha Wahab, a progressive Democrat, won the special election to succeed former Rep. Eric Swalwell in California's 14th Congressional District. With over 95% of votes counted, Wahab defeated fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez, president of the Bay Area Rapid Transit board, 53% to 47%. The race tightened after the June primary, with outside groups including AIPAC's main super PAC spending millions to boost Hernandez. Wahab, the daughter of Afghan refugees, had endorsements from the California Democratic Party and progressive leaders like Reps. Greg Casar and Pramila Jayapal. She will serve out Swalwell's term ending in January and face Hernandez again in November for a full term under a new district map. Swalwell resigned in April amid sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies.