politics
Progressive Aisha Wahab wins California special election to fill Eric Swalwell seat
State senator beats rival Melissa Hernandez and will replace US congressman who quit amid sexual misconduct claims
TL;DR
- Aisha Wahab, a state senator, won a special election for California's East Bay congressional seat.
- The seat was formerly held by Eric Swalwell, who resigned following sexual misconduct allegations, which he denies.
- Wahab, a progressive, faced opposition from Super PACs affiliated with AIPAC, which spent millions supporting her rival, Melissa Hernandez.
- Despite a significant lead in the primary, Wahab's victory margin in the special election was much narrower than expected.
- Wahab is the first Muslim woman and Afghan American elected to the California legislature and described the Super PACs' actions as election interference.