California Special Election Update

The special election to fill the seat left vacant by former Congressman Eric Swalwell remains unresolved as of early Wednesday morning.

This election was triggered by Swalwell’s resignation in April following allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple women. Prior to these allegations, he had also launched a gubernatorial campaign in California, but that effort was ultimately shelved.

In the running to succeed Swalwell are two candidates: progressive state Senator Aisha Wahab and Melissa Hernandez, a moderate Democrat who chairs the Bay Area Rapid Transit Authority (BART).

Voters cast their ballots in a primary election on Tuesday to choose who will temporarily fill Swalwell’s seat for the remainder of his term. This election also acts as a precursor to the more significant midterm elections, with both Wahab and Hernandez expected to face one another again in November.

Emerging from the jungle primary in California’s 14th Congressional District, both Wahab and Hernandez were the top two vote-getters. California’s election laws allow for open primaries, meaning the highest vote-earners advance to the general election, independent of party affiliation.

This race reflects a broader trend in Democratic primaries, where far-left candidates are often trying to outmaneuver establishment-backed choices, which is something Hernandez and Wahab’s contest illustrates.

Senator Wahab, in office since 2022, has championed efforts to reform ICE practices, co-authoring legislation aimed at making legal actions against the agency more accessible. She also prioritizes lowering prescription drug prices and boosting investment in renewable energy. Supporters of her campaign include Our Revolution, an organization established by Senator Bernie Sanders, as well as prominent figures like Attorney General Rob Bonta and fellow progressives Pramila Jayapal and Greg Cassar.

On the other hand, Melissa Hernandez has positioned herself as a moderate, particularly regarding immigration. As the daughter of Mexican immigrants, she acknowledged the immigration system’s failures while advocating for a balanced approach to border security and collaboration within regions. Her campaign has garnered endorsements from numerous congressional members.

Interestingly, Wahab’s tough stance on ICE has led to some controversies; an incident where her father asked his followers on social media to “call ICE” about Hernandez put her campaign in a difficult situation, prompting an apology from Wahab’s team on their website.