Two Democratic women are competing to fill the congressional seat left vacant by former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., after his resignation amid a growing scandal.
Swalwell resigned in April following sexual assault allegations from at least five women, effectively ending both his congressional tenure and his bid for California’s gubernatorial race.
The two candidates vying for California’s 14th Congressional District seat are progressive state Sen. Aisha Wahab and moderate Democrat Melissa Hernandez, who serves as Bay Area Rapid Transit Board (BART) President.
Tuesday’s primary will determine who immediately fills Swalwell’s seat for the remainder of the term, while also functioning as the official midterm primary, meaning the two women will face off again in November.
Both Wahab and Hernandez emerged as the top-two vote getters in the jungle primary held on June 16, advancing to the general election under California’s open primary rules regardless of party affiliation.
The contest mirrors a broader tension playing out across Democratic primary races nationwide, with far-left progressive candidates, often backed by the Democratic Socialists of America, challenging establishment-backed Democratic opponents.
Wahab, who has served in the state Senate since 2022, is campaigning on cracking down on ICE, lowering prescription drug prices, and expanding investment in green and renewable energy.
She has received backing from Our Revolution, a group founded by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., as well as Attorney General Rob Bonta, Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal, and Congressman Greg Casar.
Hernandez, the daughter of Mexican immigrants, has taken a more moderate approach on immigration, acknowledging that the system is “broken” while stating she “supports smart border security and regional cooperation.”
She has secured endorsements from close to a dozen congressional members, positioning herself as the establishment-preferred candidate in the race.
Wahab’s campaign was dealt an unexpected blow when her father posted on Facebook urging supporters to “call ICE” on Hernandez, prompting the campaign to issue a public apology on its website.
The incident drew sharp attention given Wahab’s own outspoken criticism of ICE, making the episode particularly damaging and putting her campaign on the defensive at a critical moment.
The outcome of this race will signal whether progressive momentum within the Democratic Party continues to challenge moderate incumbents and establishment figures heading into the November midterms.
