WASHINGTON: Democrat Aisha Wahab has won a special election for a vacant US House seat. The result puts her on course to become the first Afghan American member of Congress.
Wahab defeated fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez in the special election. Hernandez is an official with the San Francisco Bay Area’s public transit system.
Once sworn in, Wahab will take the seat previously held by Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell. He resigned from Congress in April amid allegations of sexual misconduct.
Swalwell denied the allegations. His departure left the seat vacant and triggered the special election.
Wahab’s victory is significant for the Afghan American community. She would become the first Afghan American to serve in the US Congress.
The district is strongly Democratic and covers areas near San Francisco and San Jose. Wahab is already a prominent figure within California politics.
Aisha Wahab currently serves as a California state senator. She previously made history as the first Muslim woman elected to California’s state legislature.
She was also the first Afghan American elected to the California legislature. Her latest victory could now mark another milestone in her political career.
According to NBC News, Wahab received more than 53% of the vote. Hernandez secured around 47% with 95% of ballots counted.
If Wahab takes the House seat, Democrats will have 213 members. Republicans will hold 218 seats in the chamber.
The election also attracted significant political spending. United Democracy Project reportedly spent nearly $2.5 million to support Hernandez.
The group is a super PAC linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. The spending reportedly took place from early August.
The group has faced criticism during several Democratic primary contests this year. The criticism has emerged amid divisions within the party over candidates’ positions on Israel.
Progressive Democrats have increasingly questioned US support for Israel. Their concerns include the war involving Israel and Iran and Israel’s military operations in Gaza and Lebanon.
Aisha Wahab has positioned herself as a progressive lawmaker focused on reducing inequality. Her legislative record includes efforts addressing discrimination and social inequality.
She previously introduced legislation aimed at banning caste discrimination in California. The bill would have made California the first US state to explicitly prohibit caste discrimination.
Governor Gavin Newsom vetoed the legislation in 2023. He argued that existing laws already prohibited discrimination based on ancestry.
Despite the special election result, the congressional race is not yet fully settled. Wahab and Hernandez are expected to face each other again in November.
The November election will determine who serves the district for a complete two-year congressional term. The special election only determines who fills the vacant seat.
Aisha Wahab’s latest victory has therefore created a potential historic moment. Her election to Congress would represent a significant milestone for Afghan Americans.
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Her political career has already included several historic achievements. The upcoming election could add another major milestone if she secures the seat for the full term.
