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Sen. Aisha Wahab has declared victory against Melissa Hernandez in the race for Congressional District 14, but Hernandez said she’s not ready to concede as the Alameda County Registrar of Voters continues to count ballots.
Wahab had received 56.5% support, or 68,612 votes, as of 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to the registrar’s office. Hernandez trailed with 43.5% support, or 52,755 votes in the contest to represent areas of the Tri-Valley including Livermore, Pleasanton and part of Dublin.
The Associated Press on Wednesday estimated 53% of votes have been counted so far, and the independent news organization had not called the race as of Wednesday evening.
The District 14 seat previously belonged to Eric Swalwell, who launched a campaign for governor. However, he withdrew from that race and abruptly resigned from the District 14 seat in April amid multiple allegations of sexual abuse.
Ahead of the Nov. 3 election, Wahab and Hernandez competed against each other in three other contests — a regular primary June 2 to advance to the Nov. 3 election; and a June 16 special primary and Aug. 18 special run-off election to serve the remainder of Swalwell’s term. Wahab, a former state senator and Hayward city councilmember, bested Hernandez at the ballot box in all three races.
“For the fourth time, the people of this district chose one of their own over outside money and influence,” Wahab said in a statement. “They made it clear that our community is not for sale.”
“I’m overwhelmed by the support of my district and excited to get to work,” she added.
Hernandez, a former Dublin mayor who currently serves as board president for BART and as a healthcare director for Alameda County Supervisors District 1, said she will not issue an official statement on the results until the outstanding ballots are tallied.
The race between Wahab and Hernandez has attracted media attention, in part because of outside dollars spent to influence the contest. The United Democracy Project, the super PAC of the lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee, reported spending about $2.5 million against Wahab and in support of Hernandez in 2026, according to Federal Election Commission filings. The Committee For Working Families, Sponsored by Labor Organizations spent about $684,000 in support of Wahab.
In Wahab’s election day statement, she referenced the Democrats’ historic Tuesday wins in flipping both the U.S. House and Senate.
“It’s time for Democrats in Washington to deliver for the American people,” she said.
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