Overview
- The special election on Aug. 18 will decide who completes the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term and the winner will face the same opponent again in November.
- State Sen. Aisha Wahab enters as the June primary frontrunner but the race has tightened after a late influx of outside spending and intensified attack ads.
- Outside spending has vaulted into the race with Super PAC ads topping roughly $5 million and nearly $2.9 million in year-to-date independent spending tied to AIPAC interests.
- The campaign has focused on competing priorities—Wahab emphasizes housing and affordability while BART director Melissa Hernandez stresses public safety—and the two candidates trade accusations over corporate donations and local controversies.
- Early in-person voting has begun in parts of the district, official 24-hour drop boxes are open, and mail ballots must be postmarked by Aug. 18 to be counted which may influence turnout in the short special term.