Wahab and Hernandez vie for full term in California’s 14th District
The election will determine who represents the newly redrawn district after former Rep. Eric Swalwell resigned in April amid sexual assault and harassment allegations, which he has denied. Wahab won an August special election to serve the remainder of his term, which ends in January; she and Hernandez are both Democrats seeking the next full term.
Wahab, a former state senator, has emphasized housing affordability and access. She has also highlighted efforts to curb junk fees and price gouging, expand the renter’s tax credit and challenge corporate monopolies. Her endorsements include Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Bernie Sanders and the California Democratic Party.
Hernandez, a BART director and former Dublin mayor, has focused on public safety, local businesses and health care. She has pledged to address organized retail theft, seek more resources for first responders, lower prescription drug costs and expand Medicare. At a debate, she cited hiring more police officers in Dublin and at BART. Her endorsers include local police, firefighter and deputy sheriff groups, as well as several mayors.
Public safety has been a prominent issue in the contest. Wahab spoke about the lasting effects of her father’s unsolved murder, while Hernandez pointed to her record in local government. Voters could return ballots through the postal service or at a county election office; drop-off boxes were open through 8 p.m. on November 3.
Wahab’s affordability agenda takes center stage in District 14 race
Rep. Aisha Wahab’s bid for a full term offers voters a continuation of her focus on housing affordability, renters and consumers. After winning August’s special election to finish former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term, the former state senator is now facing BART director Melissa Hernandez, a fellow Democrat, for the next two years.
Wahab has pointed to work on junk fees and price gouging, and wants to expand the renter’s tax credit and take on corporate monopolies. She has also championed housing affordability and access. Her backers include Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sens. Alex Padilla and Bernie Sanders, and the California Democratic Party.
Hernandez has stressed public safety, organized retail theft and support for first responders, alongside lowering prescription drug costs and expanding Medicare. She cites hiring more police officers in Dublin and at BART. Her campaign has endorsements from local law enforcement and firefighter groups and several mayors.
The choice is between Wahab’s emphasis on affordability and consumer protections and Hernandez’s focus on policing and local public safety. Wahab currently holds the seat after an August special election. The contest follows Swalwell’s April resignation amid sexual assault and harassment allegations, which he denied. Voters cast ballots on November 3 for the full term.
Hernandez puts public safety at the heart of District 14 race
Public safety is a defining issue in the contest for California’s 14th Congressional District, where voters on November 3 chose between incumbent Aisha Wahab and BART director Melissa Hernandez. Both are Democrats, but Hernandez has made policing, retail theft and resources for first responders central to her campaign.
Hernandez has pointed to her record as Dublin mayor and on the BART board, saying she hired more police officers in both roles. She has also pledged to combat organized retail theft and seek more support for first responders. Her endorsers include the Fremont Police Association, Alameda County firefighters and deputy sheriffs, along with several local mayors.
Wahab, who won an August special election to serve the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term, has highlighted housing affordability, renter tax credits and efforts against junk fees and price gouging. At a debate, she spoke about the enduring impact of her father’s unsolved murder. Her endorsements include Gov. Gavin Newsom, Sens. Alex Padilla and Bernie Sanders, and the California Democratic Party.
Hernandez’s focus on crime and public safety puts local enforcement concerns at the forefront of the race, while Wahab has stressed affordability and consumer issues. The winner will take the full two-year term in a district formerly represented by Swalwell, who resigned in April amid sexual assault and harassment allegations that he denied.
Reported by ABC7 Los Angeles, CBS San Francisco, KTVU FOX 2.
