AIPAC Battles Afghan-American Candidate Aisha Wahab in Crucial California Congressional Race
In the San Francisco Bay Area, a heated campaign is underway ahead of a decisive special election for a California congressional seat held by Democrats. The pro-Israel lobby AIPAC has invested over $4 million in attack ads against Aisha Wahab, an Afghan-American progressive candidate, accusing her of leniency toward fentanyl dealers and sex traffickers. Although the ads do not mention Israel, Wahab is targeted primarily for her critical stance on Israeli policies.
Wahab, 39, who would become the first Afghan-American in the U.S. House of Representatives if elected, faces moderate Democrat Melissa Hernandez in the final vote today. Wahab previously served in the California State Senate and has a history of challenging establishment figures, including former Congressman Eric Swalwell, whose resignation triggered this special election. Wahab finished the primary with 43% of the vote, leading Hernandez’s 17%, but the large financial backing for Hernandez from AIPAC and local police unions makes the race competitive.
Wahab has openly criticized U.S. military involvement abroad and called the events in Gaza a genocide, pledging to halt U.S. military aid to Israel while continuing humanitarian support. She has also worked on legislation condemning Hamas and demanding the release of hostages held in Gaza. Hernandez has taken a more cautious approach, supporting Israel’s right to self-defense but also condemning the destruction in Gaza and its civilian toll.
The campaign has been marked by controversy, including racist social media posts linked to Wahab’s adoptive father, which she condemned and attributed to hacking. Wahab’s background as a refugee, foster child, and advocate for social justice shapes her political identity. Meanwhile, AIPAC’s heavy spending follows its recent failure to block progressive Muslim candidate Abdul El-Sayed’s Senate primary win in Michigan, raising questions about the lobby’s influence.
The winner will serve only until January, when both candidates will compete again for a full term. The race highlights deep divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel and progressive policies, with groups like J Street supporting Wahab and pro-Palestinian organizations also investing in the contest. The outcome will be closely watched as a barometer of AIPAC’s political power and the evolving dynamics in U.S. politics regarding Israel and the Middle East.
