CALIFORNIA, United States: State Senator Aisha Wahab won a special election for California’s 14th Congressional District, becoming the first Afghan American elected to the US Congress.
The Aisha Wahab congressional victory came over fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez. With most votes counted, Wahab led by about six percentage points. Earlier, Wahab had finished more than 25 percentage points ahead of Hernandez in the June primary.
However, the race tightened after outside groups linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee entered the contest. They spent an estimated USD 6.3-6.4 million supporting Hernandez and opposing Wahab.
As a result of the victory, Wahab will complete the remaining term of former representative Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April. Swalwell denied allegations of sexual misconduct made against him.
Meanwhile, Wahab and Hernandez are expected to face each other again in November for a full two-year term. Wahab was born in Queens, New York, to Afghan refugees. Later, she was raised in Fremont, California, after spending part of her childhood in foster care.
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Previously, Wahab won election to the California State Senate in 2022. She became the first Muslim and Afghan American elected to that chamber.
Wahab has also criticised Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Additionally, she has supported ending US military weapons aid to Israel while distinguishing it from humanitarian assistance.
