Meet Aisha Wahab, First Afghan-American to Serve in US Congress
In another major victory for the Democratic Party, Aisha Wahab has won the California’s 14th District Special Election, becoming the first Afghan American elected to the U.S. Congress
In another major victory for the Democratic Party, Aisha Wahab has won the California’s 14th District Special Election, becoming the first Afghan American elected to the U.S. Congress.
The California’s 14th District Special Election was held after Eric Swalwell - a U.S. representative from California from 2013 to 2026 and was running for California Governor, abruptly resigned in April 2026 following the allegations of sexual misconduct.
The California's 14th congressional district special election was held on June 16, 2026. A runoff was held on August 18, 2026 as no candidate received a majority.
Aisha Wahab, a Progressive Democratic candidate, defeated Melissa Hernandez of Republican Party, backed by AIPAC and other pro-Israel groups.
AIPAC’s super PAC reportedly spent nearly $2.5 million to fund attack ads targeted at Wahab and boost Melissa Hernandez in California’s special election.
Aisha Wahab, who was endorsed by the American Independence Project (AIP) won anyway with more than 53% of the vote.
Aisha Wahab’s victory comes weeks after Egyptian-American Dr. Abdul El-Sayed won the Michigan Democratic Primary for Senate, defeating US Congresswoman Haley Stevens, who was also supported by AIPAC and other Israeli Zionist lobbies with more than $30 million.
An Orphan Creates History
Aisha Wahab, born on January 11, 1987, was an orphan. Aisha’s parents were Afghan refugees and migrated to the United States of America during the Soviet-Afghan war in 1980s.
Aisha’s father, an ethnic Tajik, was murdered in New York City shortly after her birth. Her mother died when Aisha and her sister were of a very young age, and living them in foster care. They were hence raised by an Afghan-American couple living in Fremont, California.
The names of Aisha’s biological parents and the Afghan couple, who adopted and raised Aisha and her sister, have not been publicly disclosed.
Education and Political Career
Aisha graduated from John F. Kennedy High School, a public high school spread across the United States, and Ohlone College, a public community college in Fremont, before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from San Jose State University in 2010.
Aisha Wahab later obtained a Master of Business Administration from California State University, East Bay in 2013. In 2024, she completed Doctorate in Social Work at the USC Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work.
Aisha Wahab's political career began when she successfully contested the Hayward City Council election in 2018. She remained in the Council till 2022 when she decided to run for California State Senate. She won, and became the first Muslim and Afghan American elected to the California State Senate.
In the U.S. Congress, Aisha Wahab will serve out the rest of former Rep. Eric Swalwell's term but she will still contest the U.S. Mid-Term Elections in November 2026.
Afghans hail Aisha's Victory
Afghans in the United States and outside hail the victory of Aisha Wahab in California’s 14th District Special Election 2026 victory.
"For decades, Afghanistan was discussed in Congress. Wars were debated, billions were spent, refugee policies were written, and decisions affecting millions of Afghans were made. But there was never an Afghan American sitting at that table... Now there will be", an Afghan-American wrote on social media platform X.
Joining fellow Afghans and well-wishers in congratulating Dr. Aisha Wahab on the remarkable achievement, the Organized for Afghanistan (OFA) Network, said in a statement, "We trust she will proudly represent her constituents in the U.S. Congress. We also ask her to keep Afghanistan in her heart."
"For a generation of Afghan children growing up in America, the message is powerful... We are no longer only a people whose country is discussed in Washington. We now have a voice inside Washington.... Congratulations, Dr. Aisha Wahab... You didn't just win an election. You broke the glass cieling! Proud moment for Afghans everywhere", Khalid Wardag, who uses X handle @Kali_Vardag wrote.
[The writer, Falak Ather Faizee, is an Intern at ummid.com.]
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