Politics
Aisha Wahab wins California special election to fill remainder of Eric Swalwell's House term
The state senator will become the first Afghan American in Congress and faces opponent Melissa Hernandez again in November.
The short version
- California state Sen. Aisha Wahab won a special election to complete the rest of former Rep. Eric Swalwell's term in California's 14th Congressional District.
- Wahab defeated Bay Area Rapid Transit Director Melissa Hernandez and becomes the first Afghan American to serve in Congress.
- The seat was vacated in April following the resignation of Swalwell amid sexual assault and harassment allegations, which he denies.
- Wahab will serve through January, and both candidates will compete again in the November general election for a full two-year term.
Key facts
- Aisha Wahab secured victory in a special election to represent California's 14th Congressional District through January.[PBS NewsHour]
- Wahab is the first Afghan American elected to serve in the United States Congress.[PBS NewsHour]
- Former Rep. Eric Swalwell resigned from Congress and halted his gubernatorial campaign in April following allegations of sexual assault and harassment, which he has denied.[PBS NewsHour]
- Outside groups affiliated with AIPAC spent millions supporting opponent Melissa Hernandez and thousands opposing Wahab leading up to the election.[PBS NewsHour]
- Federal investigators recently confiscated electronic devices from Swalwell at the San Francisco airport and searched his Washington, D.C., residence.[PBS NewsHour]
- Wahab and Hernandez are scheduled to face each other again in November to decide the full two-year congressional term.[PBS NewsHour]
What remains uncertain
- The status and potential outcomes of the federal criminal investigation into the allegations against Swalwell remain unannounced.[PBS NewsHour]
Sources
- State lawmaker Aisha Wahab wins California special election to replace former Rep. SwalwellPBS NewsHour - Politics