Democrats rally behind progressive Aisha Wahab after win in California special election – US politics live
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of US politics. Following a bitter intra-party battle, progressive Aisha Wahab has been elected to Congress in a special election to fill the seat formerly held by Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April after facing sexual misconduct allegations (he has denied the allegations). Though Wahab, the first Muslim woman and Afghan American elected to the California legislature, held a major lead throughout the race over over her main opponent, Melissa Hernandez, Hernandez’s campaign received a significant boost as Super Pacs connected to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) poured money into the race. Some congressional Democrats were quick to congratulate their new colleague. “House Democrats look forward to welcoming you to the 119th Congress as we fight for an Affordable America,” Hakeem Jeffries, House minority leader, posted on X. Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal posted that she couldn’t wait to work with Wahab on Medicare and “to fight.