Democratic State Lawmaker Advances in California Special Election

Democratic state lawmaker Aisha Wahab advanced Tuesday to the special general election in California for the U.S. House seat vacated after the prior representative resigned amid allegations. Wahab, a state senator who focused her campaign message on reducing housing costs, goes on to the Aug.

18 runoff, which will determine who will fill the remainder of the term through January. The district includes East Bay cities such as Fremont, Hayward and Livermore.

"I don’t take things for granted," Wahab said in an interview. " She said the race is not about replacing the prior officeholder but rather ensuring voters have a representative who is working to make their lives better. Also among the 11 names on the ballot was fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez, a Bay Area Rapid Transit director and former mayor of an East Bay city.

Hernandez and Wahab represent different wings of the party. The more progressive Wahab proposed combating high costs by expanding the social safety net and taking on corporate profiteering. Hernandez, considered more moderate, emphasized job growth and supporting small businesses.

Background on the Vacancy It was too early to determine who would take the second slot in the Aug. 18 election. Separate from the special election, a regular primary was held June 2 for a full term in the seat beginning in January, with many of the same candidates who were on Tuesday’s ballot.

Wahab and Hernandez were the top two vote-getters June 2 and advanced to the general election in November. If one of them comes out on top in the special election, their hope is that serving in the office for a few months this summer and fall could provide a boost in visibility.