Wahab remains ahead in race for Swalwell's U.S. House seat

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(The Center Square) – State Sen. Aisha Wahab continues to enjoy a small lead over Bay Area Rapid Transit board member Melissa Hernandez in the race for California’s 14th Congressional District.

Both candidates are Democrats who faced each other in Tuesday's special election.

The winner will replace U.S. Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-San Francisco Bay Area, and go to Washington, D.C. to complete Swalwell's term, which ends Jan. 3. Swalwell resigned from the House in April amid sexual misconduct allegations. He also quit the gubernatorial race.

District 14 is entirely within Alameda County, located in the San Francisco Bay Area. The county's election website on Wednesday afternoon showed Wahab with 33,399 votes or 51.04% support compared to Hernandez’s 32,043 votes or 48.96% support.

The California Secretary of State’s Office said there are 37 days left in the ballot counting process. Results will be certified by Sept. 25.

Wahab and Hernandez met twice this year for primaries leading up to Tuesday’s special election. The primaries were held June 2 and 16. 

Regardless of Tuesday’s outcome, Wahab and Hernandez will square off again in the Nov. 3 general election to determine who will serve during the term starting Jan. 3.

Neither candidate has responded to The Center Square’s multiple requests for comment.