The special election to fill the seat vacated by former Representative Eric Swalwell, a Democrat from California, was still undecided as of early Wednesday morning. Swalwell resigned in April following sexual assault allegations from at least five women. Before the allegations, he was also a candidate in California's gubernatorial race but subsequently withdrew.
The candidates vying for Swalwell's seat are state Senator Aisha Wahab and Melissa Hernandez, President of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Board. The primary race held on Tuesday will determine who fills Swalwell's seat for the remainder of the term and will also serve as the primary for the upcoming midterm elections, where Wahab and Hernandez are expected to face each other again in November.
Wahab and Hernandez were the top two vote-getters in the special election's jungle primary for California's 14th Congressional District. California's open primary system allows the top candidates, regardless of party affiliation, to advance to the general election.
Wahab, who has been in the state Senate since 2022, focuses her campaign on issues such as immigration reform, lowering prescription drug prices, and promoting green energy investments. She has received endorsements from progressive figures including Senator Bernie Sanders and Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal.
In contrast, Hernandez has adopted a moderate stance on immigration, acknowledging the system's flaws while advocating for smart border security. She has garnered support from several Congressional members. Recently, Wahab faced criticism after her father called for his daughter's supporters to report Hernandez to ICE, prompting Wahab's campaign to issue an apology.