AIPAC-Backed Democrat Loses California House Special Election to Aisha Wahab

Democrat Aisha Wahab is projected to win a special election for a vacant US House of Representatives seat in California, according to multiple US media outlets. Wahab, an Afghan American and member of the California State Senate, defeated Democrat Melissa Hernandez, an official with the San Francisco Bay Area mass transit system.

Once sworn in, Wahab will fill the seat previously held by Democratic Representative Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April amid allegations of sexual misconduct, which he denied. Her victory will bring the Democratic seats in the House to 213, while Republicans will hold 218. The district is considered solidly Democratic, located near San Francisco and San Jose.

The race attracted millions of dollars in outside spending, notably from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). AIPAC's super PAC reportedly spent nearly $2.5 million to support Hernandez. The pro-Israel lobbying group has become a focal point in several Democratic primary contests this year, as the Israel-Hamas War has intensified internal party divisions.

Wahab and Hernandez are set to face each other again in November for the full two-year term of the congressional seat.