Wahab Well Ahead of Hernandez in East Bay Congressional Race
For the fourth time in six months, East Bay voters appear to have chosen Aisha Wahab as their preferred candidate for Congress.
In the race for the state’s 14th Congressional District, Wahab appeared headed for victory over her opponent, BART Board President and former Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez, both Democrats.
In early returns on Tuesday night, Wahab held more than 57% of the vote, well ahead of Hernandez, who held a little less than 43%, according to the Alameda County Registrar of Voters.
Wahab said she was “deeply grateful and overwhelmed” with the support she received and has seen throughout the election cycle.
“At the end of the day, it’s this district and the people see through a lot the negativity,” Wahab said in an interview after the initial results posted. “I’m very proud that they voted for me and supported me and trust me.”
Wahab, a former state senator and Hayward City Council member, is currently serving out the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term after winning a special election in August over Hernandez, which was preceded by Wahab leading a special primary election for that race.
This week’s general election results will determine who will hold the seat for the next full two-year term beginning in 2027.
Wahab also took the top spot in a crowded general primary in June, during which nine people ran for the seat, which represents all of Livermore, Pleasanton, Castro Valley, Union City and Hayward as well as portions of Fremont and Dublin.
She attributed the broad support she’s received to her focus on helping people and being straightforward with constituents.
“I speak very clearly and plainly about the issues that matter to us. When we’re talking about healthcare, it’s not a Republican or Democratic issue. It’s a human-being issue,” she said. “And I prioritize that because Democrats and Republicans have grandparents they want to take care of, children they want to take care of, to be able to buy their first home. These are issues that we all care about.”
In front of Hayward City Hall on a crisp and clear election night, voters said the rising cost of living was top of mind.
“It’s just super ridiculous how expensive it is compared to just growing up as a millennial. It doesn’t feel right,” Joshua Akintomide said. “A lot of the stuff that we’ve been forced to pay for when it comes to groceries, gas, rent, like all of it is just too much.”
After winning a special election, Wahab said she was “thrown in the deep end” of Congress without much support.
“I’m very excited to start orientation and be able to introduce bills of my own, to really sway some of my colleagues to do the right thing and focus on big issues that we all care about as Americans,” she said.
“We need to get things done for the American people. We need to prioritize them first and foremost. We need to combat corruption, tackle the cost of living, and provide more care to our aging seniors and those that are worried about child care and housing and so much more.”
Hernandez did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
At a watch party hosted by the Hayward United Democratic Campaign on Tuesday night, Wahab’s supporters, including Kashmir Singh Shahi, said they are expecting a lot from Wahab.
“She will do wonders,” Shahi said.
Shahi, who is a member of the advocacy group Sikh Community Organization for Political Engagement, said he believes Wahab is a “normal person” and understands ordinary Americans’ issues.
“Just a normal person, approachable person, a person with education, a person with experience, and a person who has proven that she can be a great leader for us,” Shahi said.
Wahab’s apparent victory comes despite a disadvantage in political fundraising and outside financial support. From the start of the year through Oct. 14, Wahab’s campaign raised nearly $1.2 million, while Hernandez raised a little more than $2 million.
But major punches were thrown by political action committees. Wahab was supported by nearly $1 million, with the bulk of it coming from The Committee for Working Families, which is supported by the California Labor Federation and labor unions.
More than $2.4 million was spent by outside groups to oppose Wahab, including the United Democracy Project, a PAC controlled by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC).
Hernandez benefited from more than $3.8 million supporting her campaign, with roughly $410,000 spent to oppose her, including by the American Priorities PAC, which was formed to help oppose AIPAC.
The AIPAC-backed United Democracy Project contributed $825,000 to support Hernandez, and donated millions in the last two years to Bold America, a PAC that has spent more than $2.5 million to support Hernandez and oppose Wahab in this election cycle.
Hernandez recently made headlines for a comment during a debate in the race in which she suggested Wahab has communication with the Taliban. Wahab denounced the comments as racist, and The Mercury News reported Hernandez lost the endorsement of a Dublin City Council member over the comment.
Stanford University graduate journalism students Katherine Beard and Elizabeth Brewer contributed to this report.