The special election to fill the California 14th Congressional District seat vacated by former Rep. Eric Swalwell remained undecided in the early hours Wednesday morning. The race, held on June 16, is a special election to immediately fill Swalwell's seat for the remainder of the term, and also serves as the primary for the upcoming midterm elections.
Two candidates, progressive state Sen. Aisha Wahab and moderate Bay Area Rapid Transit Board (BART) President Melissa Hernandez, emerged as the top two vote-getters in the district's jungle primary. Under California's open primary system, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party affiliation. Wahab and Hernandez will face each other again in November.
The contest reflects a broader trend in Democratic primaries, where progressive candidates often challenge establishment-backed Democrats. Wahab, who has served in the state Senate since 2022, has a platform focused on cracking down on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), lowering prescription drug prices, and investing in green energy. She has garnered endorsements from groups like Our Revolution and figures such as Attorney General Rob Bonta and progressive members of Congress.
Hernandez, whose parents are immigrants, has adopted a more moderate stance on immigration, acknowledging issues with the current system while supporting border security and regional cooperation. She has received endorsements from several members of Congress.
Earlier in the race, Wahab's campaign issued an apology after her father posted on Facebook urging supporters to "call ICE" on Hernandez. Swalwell himself resigned from Congress in April amid multiple allegations of sexual assault, which also led him to withdraw from his bid for California governor. 
