Aisha Wahab Wins CA-14 Seat Despite $4.4 Million in Pro-Israel Spending
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 21
Aisha Wahab Wins CA-14 Seat Despite $4.4 Million in Pro-Israel Spending
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Aug 21
Summary
US media projected Wahab beat moderate Democrat Melissa Hernandez in the special election to serve out Eric Swalwell’s term through January in California’s 14th District.
Nearly $4.4 million from AIPAC-linked groups flooded the race in August to boost Hernandez, but Wahab had entered the general election with a wide primary lead of more than 42% to 17%.
Wahab said the district “cannot be bought” after attacking what she called “$5m of lies,” including ads accusing her of weakening penalties for trafficking minors.
The victory makes Wahab the first Afghan American in Congress and adds to a string of 2026 setbacks for pro-Israel groups trying to sway Democratic contests amid backlash over Gaza.
She and Hernandez will face each other again in November for a full two-year House term in the Bay Area district.