Democratic state Senator Aisha Wahab won the special election for the seat previously held by former Representative Eric Swalwell in California's 14th Congressional District. Wahab received 53.1% of the vote, while her opponent, AIPAC-backed Democratic mayor Melissa Hernandez, garnered 46.9%. Wahab's victory comes after she won the primary by 26 points. She will serve in the House of Representatives until January, with both candidates expected to compete again in the November election for a full two-year term.
During an April debate, Wahab responded affirmatively when asked if she viewed Israeli actions in Gaza as genocide, while Hernandez refrained from a direct answer but stated that Israel had the right to defend itself, also noting that the destruction in Gaza had gone too far. AIPAC's significant financial investment of $4.4 million in the race has raised questions, particularly given the short duration of Wahab's term. Analysts suggest that the expenditure may have been aimed at sending a message rather than securing a win.
This election follows a mixed performance for AIPAC in the 2026 midterm season, having lost in the Michigan Senate race despite spending over $30 million to support Rep. Haley Stevens against progressive candidate Abdul el Sayed, who ultimately won. AIPAC did achieve a victory in Missouri, where Rep. Wesley Bell defeated former Rep. Cori Bush in the Democratic primary.
The seat became vacant after Swalwell resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct, with the FBI recently seizing his electronic devices as part of an ongoing federal investigation.