State Assemblymember Aisha Wahab was declared the winner of the special election held Thursday to fill the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term in the U.S. House of Representatives. The race covered California’s 14th Congressional District, which includes portions of eastern Alameda County.

Local context and candidates

Wahab, a Democrat from the Bay Area, defeated fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez, the director of Bay Area Rapid Transit, by a clear margin. Both candidates will meet again in the November general election for the full two‑year term.

Background on the vacancy

Swalwell resigned in April after ending his gubernatorial campaign amid accusations of sexual assault and harassment, which he has denied. His departure triggered the special election to ensure the district remains represented in Congress.

Wahab’s record and priorities

During her time in the California State Assembly, Wahab has focused on housing affordability and access. In 2023 she authored a bill to prohibit caste‑based discrimination, a measure that drew national attention before Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed it, stating existing civil‑rights laws already cover such bias.

Historic milestone

Wahab’s victory marks a historic first: she becomes the first Afghan American elected to public office in the United States when she won a Hayward City Council seat in 2018, and now the first Afghan American to serve in the U.S. Congress.

What’s next

Wahab will serve in the House until the term ends in January 2027, after which the November election will determine who holds the seat for the next full term. Constituents can expect her to continue advocating for affordable housing and to address the unique needs of the diverse communities within the district.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.