Voters in California’s 14th Congressional District went to the polls on Tuesday for a special election runoff to determine who will represent a portion of the Bay Area’s Alameda County. The contest features two Democrats, State Senator Aisha Wahab and former Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez, who are competing to finish the term of former Rep. Eric Swalwell.
The special election was triggered by the resignation of Swalwell in April. His departure followed allegations of sexual assault and misconduct. Under California’s "top-two" primary system, the two highest vote-getters in the initial round advance to the runoff regardless of their party affiliation. In the first round of voting held in June, Wahab received 42.8 percent of the vote, while Hernandez received 16.8 percent.
Campaign finance has become a central element of the race, with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and a competing super PAC spending funds on the contest. Wahab is described as the progressive candidate in the race, while Hernandez is characterized as more moderate. Because both candidates are Democrats, the seat is expected to remain under Democratic control.
For residents, the result determines who will vote on federal legislation, manage constituent services, and influence federal spending that impacts their daily lives, including local infrastructure and social programs. Voters will notice a shift from a vacant seat to active representation once the winner is sworn into office. The race also serves as a test of influence for outside spending groups like AIPAC, which has made participation in Democratic primaries a significant part of its 2026 strategy, potentially setting a precedent for how national interest groups engage in local runoff contests.
What happens next: Polls were scheduled to close at 11 p.m. EDT on Tuesday. Once the results are certified, the winner will be eligible to be sworn into the House of Representatives to complete the remainder of the current term. The source did not report the specific date for the certification of results or the formal swearing-in ceremony. Outcomes are being tracked by Decision Desk HQ.