Chicago – August 22, 2026
California state Senator Aisha Wahab has won a special election for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, marking a historic achievement for Afghan Americans and Muslim women in American politics. Wahab, a Democrat, defeated fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez in California’s 14th Congressional District, receiving roughly 53 percent of the vote.
The victory allows Wahab to serve the remainder of former Congressman Eric Swalwell’s term, which runs through January 2027. She is the first Afghan American elected to the U.S. Congress and the first Muslim woman from California to serve in the House.
Wahab’s victory has attracted national attention because of her background and political career. She previously served in the California State Senate and has focused on issues including housing, workers’ rights and immigrant communities.
The two Democrats are expected to face each other again in November 2026, when voters will choose who serves the district for a full two-year term.
