Why AIPAC Got Involved in the Race to Succeed Swalwell
Aisha Wahab defeated Melissa Hernandez in a contentious special election to serve the remainder of former East Bay Representative Eric Swalwell’s term.
HAYWARD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: U.S. House candidate, California state Sen. Aisha Wahab speaks to the media during an election-night watch party at Firefighters Local 1909 on August 18, 2026 in Hayward, California. Wahab and Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Board President Melissa Hernandez, both Democrats, are competing in the special election to fill the seat vacated by former Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-CA). Wahab is endorsed by the state Democratic Party, while Hernandez is supported by super PACs, including two with ties to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. (Photo by Heather Diehl/Getty Images)
Progressive California lawmaker Aisha Wahab defeated BART Board President Melissa Hernandez in the special election to serve the remainder of former East Bay Representative Eric Swalwell’s term. Wahab’s victory comes despite millions spent by pro-Israeli lobbying group AIPAC to defeat her and support her more moderate Democratic opponent, Hernandez.
Marisa and Guy sit down with San Francisco Chronicle senior politics writer Joe Garofoli to talk about why this race got so much attention from AIPAC and what will happen when the two candidates face off again in November.
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