State of play: What to know about California showdown to replace Swalwell after massive scandal

The special election to fill Eric Swalwell’s vacant seat in California’s 14th Congressional District is too close to call, with state Sen. Aisha Wahab and BART President Melissa Hernandez emerging as the top two contenders. This race, serving as both a special election for the remainder of the term and a primary for the midterms, highlights a broader trend of progressive candidates challenging establishment Democrats. Wahab, a progressive, focuses on issues like ICE reform and green energy, while Hernandez, a moderate, advocates for “smart border security.”

• The special election for Eric Swalwell’s California seat is undecided, with Aisha Wahab and Melissa Hernandez leading.
• The race is a ‘jungle primary,’ where the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.
• Wahab represents the progressive wing, backed by groups like Our Revolution, focusing on ICE reform and green energy.
• Hernandez, a moderate, emphasizes ‘smart border security’ and has endorsements from several congressional members.
• A gaffe occurred when Wahab’s father urged supporters to ‘call ICE’ on Hernandez, leading to an apology from Wahab’s campaign.