California special election: Meet the candidates in the June 16 primary

California's 14th Congressional District is set for a special election on June 16 to determine the candidates who will vie for the vacant seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, previously held by Eric Swalwell. The primary ballot features 11 contenders from the Democratic, Republican, and independent parties.

Following the July 16 primaries, the general election will take place on August 18, where the successor to Democrat Swalwell will be decided. Swalwell resigned his congressional seat amid accusations of sexual misconduct, which led him to withdraw from his gubernatorial campaign. An investigation by CNN on April 10 detailed accusations from four women regarding his alleged inappropriate sexual behavior.

Recent polling data, cited by The New York Times, shows a significant advantage for Democratic candidate Wahab, who has garnered 29% of voter intention. Other candidates, including Hernández and Huang, trail considerably. This suggests a favorable outlook for Democrats, with Wahab holding a 20-point lead.

California employs a "top-two primary" system, meaning the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election, regardless of their party affiliation. If current trends hold, the August election could feature two Democrats, potentially keeping Swalwell's former seat within the Democratic party's control. The election process in California is known for its lengthy vote-counting duration.