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.