California Democrats Wahab and Hernandez Advance to Special Election to Fill Eric Swalwells Seat
Aisha Wahab and Melissa Hernandez are the only candidates to move forward in the special election to fill the vacancy left by former U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell. According to the Associated Press, Wahab, a California state senator, and Hernandez, a former Dublin mayor and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) director, received the most votes in the special primary held on Thursday, June 12, and will compete on August 18 to serve the remainder of Swalwell’s term.
Swalwell, a Democrat who had represented California’s 14th Congressional District since 2013, resigned in April 2026 after a San Francisco Chronicle report detailed allegations that he sexually assaulted a former staff member twice and that other women accused him of sending inappropriate messages and nude photographs. Swalwell denied the accusations but said it would be unfair to his constituents to remain in Congress. He had also withdrawn from the 2026 California gubernatorial race.
The 14th District, which covers East Bay cities such as Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, and parts of Dublin and Union City, is heavily Democratic, with a Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+20. Because of its strong Democratic lean, Republican candidates are unlikely to win the seat.
The special election is a “special general election” that will fill the seat through January 3, 2027. The winner will then serve until the end of the term, after which the victor of the regular November 2026 general election will take over for a full two‑year term. Both Wahab and Hernandez are also the top two finishers in the regular primary held on June 2, so they will run in both the special and the regular elections.
Wahab, the state Senate’s assistant majority leader, has a record that includes expanding social safety net programs, strengthening renter protections, and cutting bureaucratic hurdles for small businesses. She has also emphasized social justice issues and has a background as the first Afghan‑American elected to the California State Senate.
Hernandez, who served as mayor of Dublin from 2016 to 2020, has highlighted a business‑friendly approach. She says she will prioritize growing small businesses, promote incentives for building housing, and work to lower health‑insurance premiums by restoring subsidies. Her experience on the BART board of directors has given her a statewide transportation perspective.
Both candidates share a focus on housing affordability, small‑business support, and expanding social services. Their platforms differ mainly in emphasis: Wahab leans toward progressive policies, while Hernandez stresses economic growth and business incentives.
The special election will give the winner a brief period in Congress, which could provide valuable experience and visibility for the November campaign. According to the Associated Press, the winner will serve from August 18 until the new Congress convenes in January.
State officials have confirmed that the special election will be held on August 18, 2026, and that the winner will be sworn in by the end of that month. The California Secretary of State’s office will oversee the election and certify the results.
The resignation of Swalwell and the upcoming special election underscore the impact of sexual misconduct allegations on political careers. While Swalwell has denied wrongdoing, his departure has opened a seat that will likely remain in Democratic hands given the district’s voting history.
As of now, no Republican candidates have filed for the seat, and the focus remains on Wahab and Hernandez. Their campaigns are expected to continue to highlight their respective priorities while appealing to the district’s diverse electorate.
The outcome of the August 18 special election will determine who will represent the 14th District in the final months of the current congressional term, and who will bring that experience into the November 2026 general election.
