Residents of California’s 14th Congressional District, which lies entirely within Alameda County in the San Francisco Bay Area, will head to the polls on Tuesday for a special election to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Eric Swalwell. Swalwell resigned in April amid sexual‑misconduct allegations and also withdrew from the gubernatorial race.
Candidates on the ballot
The ballot lists two Democratic candidates: State Senator Aisha Wahab of Hayward and former Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez, who currently serves on the Bay Area Rapid Transit board. Both candidates previously faced each other in June primaries but failed to secure a majority, triggering the special election.
Wahab led the June 2 primary with 38.3% of the vote (59,238 votes) while Hernandez earned 17.2% (26,579 votes). In the June 16 special primary, Wahab received 42.8% (52,961 votes) and Hernandez 16.8% (20,731 votes). The Tuesday vote will determine who serves the remainder of Swalwell’s term, which ends on Jan. 3, 2027. Regardless of the outcome, both candidates will appear again on the Nov. 3 general election ballot for the full term beginning Jan. 3, 2027.
Key issues for voters
Affordability has emerged as a top concern for district voters. Wahab’s campaign website emphasizes affordable housing, expanding home‑ownership opportunities, and improving overall living conditions in the Bay Area. She states, “The status quo is afraid because I work for you – not billion‑dollar corporations.” Hernandez also focuses on cost‑of‑living issues, pledging to lower expenses, build housing that people can afford, and protect access to health care.
Campaign dynamics
The race has seen a series of attack ads and press releases. On Aug. 12, Hernandez’s campaign filed a Federal Election Commission complaint alleging that Wahab’s campaign was “laundering corporate money into their campaign for Congress.” Earlier, on Aug. 7, Hernandez released a statement citing Latino leaders condemning a “racist rant” made by Wahab’s father that called for Hernandez’s deportation.
Wahab’s campaign responded by labeling the attacks “political” and noting that Hernandez lost two prior primary elections by more than 20 percentage points. The campaign’s “Truth Behind The Attack Ads” page asserts that Hernandez is relying on “misleading attacks” rather than a record of results.
What voters need to know
Both candidates are Democrats, so the election will not alter the party balance in the House, but the winner will influence how the district’s priorities—particularly housing affordability and health‑care access—are addressed in Congress. Voters should review each candidate’s platform, consider the recent campaign controversies, and cast their ballots at designated polling locations on Tuesday.
Election officials have confirmed that the special election will be conducted in accordance with California state law, and the results will be certified by the Secretary of State’s Office once counting is complete.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
