Aisha Wahab Sworn In as First Afghan American in Congress

By Rachel Whitmore Nashville, TN · CALIFORNIA —

Published Updated 5 min read

Speaker Mike Johnson swore Aisha Wahab into the U.S. House, filling California's 14th District vacancy. Wahab defeated Melissa Hernandez in a special election held earlier this summer.

CALIFORNIA — Speaker of the House Mike Johnson swore Aisha Wahab into the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 2, 2026. Wahab is filling the vacancy in California’s 14th Congressional District.

Wahab is the first Afghan American to serve in Congress. The seat became vacant on April 14, 2026, after Rep. Eric Swalwell resigned. Swalwell stepped down following allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which he has denied.

In the special general election on Aug. 18, 2026, Wahab defeated Melissa Hernandez 53.1% to 46.9%. The two candidates advanced to that runoff after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the special primary election on June 16, 2026. In the primary, which included 11 candidates, Wahab received 42.8% of the vote and Hernandez received 16.8%.

"It hasn't really settled in my brain yet," Wahab said. "We're still as a senator, you know, doing our work and, you know, haven't been sworn in. So just a little nervous, a little overwhelmed. So that's kind of how the feeling is right now." Wahab previously served as a member of the California State Senate from the 10th district from 2022 to 2026.

She was the first Muslim and Afghan American elected to the California State Senate. Before her state senate tenure, she served on the Hayward City Council from 2018 to 2022.

Wahab will face Melissa Hernandez in the November general election to determine who will serve the next full two-year term. Early voting and vote-by-mail for the November general election begin Oct. 5, and Election Day is Nov. 3.

Why It Matters

The swearing-in of Wahab reduces the number of vacant seats in the U.S. House, though two districts remain without representation. Historical data shows that vacancies can persist for extended periods. During the 113th through 118th Congresses, there were 88 vacancies in the U.S. House and 16 in the U.S. Senate.

The average length of a vacancy in the U.S. House during those congresses was 138 days, while the average length of a vacancy in the U.S. Senate was seven days. The longest vacancy in the U.S. House during the 113th through 118th Congresses was in Michigan's 13th Congressional District, occurring when Rep. John Conyers, Jr. resigned on Dec. 5, 2017. Following Rep. Conyers, Jr.'s resignation, the Michigan 13th District seat was vacant for 359 days. The longest vacancy in the U.S. Senate during the 113th through 118th Congresses was in New Jersey, occurring when Sen. Bob Menendez resigned on Aug. 20, 2024. Following Sen. Menendez's resignation, the New Jersey Senate seat was vacant for 20 days.

Timeline

The longest vacancy in the U.S. House during the 113th through 118th Congresses was in Michigan's 13th Congressional District, occurring when Rep. Conyers, Jr. resigned on Dec. 5, 2017. The longest vacancy in the U.S. Senate during the 113th through 118th Congresses was in New Jersey, occurring when Sen. Menendez resigned on Aug. 20, 2024. The longest vacancy in the 119th Congress was in Texas' 18th Congressional District, which became vacant on March 5, 2025, following the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner. The vacancy in Texas' 18th Congressional District ended on Feb. 2, 2026, after 334 days. The vacancy in California’s 14th Congressional District began on April 14, 2026, after Rep. Swalwell resigned. Swalwell resigned during allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which he has denied. Wahab and Melissa Hernandez advanced to the special general election after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the special primary election on June 16, 2026.

What's New

Wahab said, "I have heard from the chair (Lofgren) as well as Congressman Aguilar. They both congratulated me. But I will say some of the reporting is also not 100% accurate of what really took place." Rep. Wahab was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on September 2, 2026, filling the vacancy of former Rep. Swalwell, who resigned in April 2026 during allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

Wahab said, "It hasn't really settled in my brain yet. We're still as a senator, you know, doing our work and, you know, haven't been sworn in. So just a little nervous, a little overwhelmed. So that's kind of how the feeling is right now." Wahab said, "As a kid who's an Afghan American who grew up seeing all the wars that took place after 9/11, none of them have been successful. Realistically. If you take a look at Afghanistan, it's in the hands of the Taliban who are just ruining the country in so many other ways. But also, the" Wahab said, "I think that there's a lot of prejudice. And it's not just identity issues, but it's also thought process. You know, the average age of the American resident is 39 years old. Okay. That's in my age range. We have a different opinion of how this nation needs to move forward. That i" Wahab was sworn in on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, as the first Afghan American to serve in Congress, replacing former Rep. Swalwell, who resigned in April 2026 during allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple women. Wahab was sworn in on September 2, 2026, as the first Afghan American to serve in Congress, taking over the seat vacated by former Rep. Swalwell. Wahab said, "First and foremost, I have said it very publicly. I try my best to say that we need to avoid war at all costs. Especially needless wars without a strategy, without a reason to actually go into that. And, you know, at the end of the day, what is the goal for the United States? And"

How Sources Differ

Sources differ on details regarding Wahab's identity and campaign. Regarding her status as an Afghan American, Wahab stated, "As a kid who's an Afghan American who grew up seeing all the wars that took place after 9/11, none of them have been successful. Realistically. But also, the while the U.S. House of Representatives historical membership record states that Aisha Wahab is the first Afghan American to serve in Congress."

Regarding her campaign experience, Wahab said, I think that there were a lot of games played in my race. And, you know, I'm the Democratic-endorsed candidate. The labor-endorsed candidate, definitely won by a large margin in the primary. I'm one of those people that w" while the California Secretary of State special primary election results state that Aisha Wahab and Melissa Hernandez advanced to the special general election after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the special primary election on June 16, 2026."

fact_check Facts

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson swore Aisha Wahab into the U.S. House of Representatives on Sept. 2, 2026.
Aisha Wahab is filling the vacancy in California’s 14th Congressional District.
Aisha Wahab is the first Afghan American to serve in Congress.
In the special general election on Aug. 18, 2026, Aisha Wahab defeated Melissa Hernandez 53.1% to 46.9%.
Aisha Wahab will face Melissa Hernandez in the November general election to determine who will serve the next full two-year term.
Aisha Wahab, California State Senator
Aisha Wahab said, "It hasn't really settled in my brain yet. We're still as a senator, you know, doing our work and, you know, haven't been sworn in. So just a little nervous, a little overwhelmed. So that's kind of how the feeling is right now."
Aisha Wahab, California State Senator
Aisha Wahab said, "First and foremost, I have said it very publicly. I try my best to say that we need to avoid war at all costs. Especially needless wars without a strategy, without a reason to actually go into that. And, you know, at the end of the day, what is the goal for the United States? And if it's regime change, you know, the people of that nation need to determine that."
Aisha Wahab, California State Senator
Aisha Wahab said, "As a kid who's an Afghan American who grew up seeing all the wars that took place after 9/11, none of them have been successful. Realistically. If you take a look at Afghanistan, it's in the hands of the Taliban who are just ruining the country in so many other ways. But also, the 20 years didn't really achieve much either."
Aisha Wahab, California State Senator
Aisha Wahab said, "Number one is we need to reinstate a lot of the funding cuts that have taken place that really damage our most vulnerable populations. Whether it's our seniors, whether it's those on food security programs or anything like that, I think that's the number one issue, but we're not going to be able to solve it in a short time. Budget negotiations have already taken place largely. And, again, I think that that is the priority. I think that the American people want the American people to be the priority in D.C. And that's not happening."
Aisha Wahab, California State Senator
Aisha Wahab said, "I think that there were a lot of games played in my race. And, you know, I'm the Democratic-endorsed candidate. The labor-endorsed candidate, definitely won by a large margin in the primary. I'm one of those people that would like to start everything off with a fresh, clean slate. But obviously there was a lot of damage that I took because of, you know, people's egos."
Aisha Wahab, California State Senator
Aisha Wahab said, "I have heard from the chair (Lofgren) as well as Congressman Aguilar. They both congratulated me. But I will say some of the reporting is also not 100% accurate of what really took place."
Aisha Wahab, California State Senator
Aisha Wahab said, "I find it very questionable that we always say you support the Democratic-endorsed candidate. And that was not the case in my situation."
Aisha Wahab, California State Senator
Aisha Wahab said, "I think that there's a lot of prejudice. And it's not just identity issues, but it's also thought process. You know, the average age of the American resident is 39 years old. Okay. That's in my age range. We have a different opinion of how this nation needs to move forward. That is largely focusing on the American people, making sure people are not in debt or struggling to pay their groceries and their utilities and their school. And actually having a home, owning a home, being happy, thriving. What I typically see both sometimes in the state legislature as well as in D.C., is it's always industry focused. It's very much focused on that. And, you know, some of these wars that we're seeing without any checks and balances, people are running amok with their power. And it's gotten to people's heads. And we need to kind of course-correct where the United States is. And I think that my generation has been very loud and proud about that. And people do want to hear it."
Aisha Wahab, California State Senator
Aisha Wahab said, "That's not the actual conversation. I will say that there was a discussion about place or caretaker for the seat. I think that for me, I've always cared about the most vulnerable people in this country. I've cared about doing the right thing. I have served in that capacity and will continue to do so. And I will push back against individuals as well as ideas and plans that don't make sense for regular people."

menu_bookBackground & Context

Context and data our newsroom added to the originating report.

The vacancy in California’s 14th Congressional District began on April 14, 2026, after Rep. Eric Swalwell resigned.
Eric Swalwell resigned amid allegations of sexual assault and misconduct, which he has denied.
Aisha Wahab and Melissa Hernandez advanced to the special general election after no candidate received more than 50% of the vote in the special primary election on June 16, 2026.
In the special primary election on June 16, 2026, which included 11 candidates, Aisha Wahab received 42.8% of the vote and Melissa Hernandez received 16.8%.
Early voting and vote-by-mail for the November general election begin Oct. 5, and Election Day is Nov. 3.
As of Sept. 2, 2026, Republicans have a 218 to 214 majority in the U.S. House, with two vacancies.
Rep. Kevin Kiley is an independent who caucuses with Republicans.
So far in the 119th Congress, there have been 13 vacancies in the U.S. House and five in the U.S. Senate.
Four vacancies in the U.S. Senate during the 119th Congress were filled via appointment.
One vacancy in the U.S. Senate during the 119th Congress was filled when Sen. Jim Justice was sworn into office 11 days after the start of the Congress.
Eleven vacancies in the U.S. House during the 119th Congress were filled after special election winners were sworn in.
As of Sept. 2, 2026, the vacancies in Florida's 20th Congressional District and Texas' 23rd Congressional District remained unfilled.
The longest vacancy in the 119th Congress was in Texas' 18th Congressional District, which became vacant on March 5, 2025, following the death of Rep. Sylvester Turner.
The vacancy in Texas' 18th Congressional District ended on Feb. 2, 2026, after 334 days.
During the 113th through 118th Congresses, there were 88 vacancies in the U.S. House and 16 in the U.S. Senate.
The average length of a vacancy in the U.S. Senate during the 113th through 118th Congresses was seven days.
The average length of a vacancy in the U.S. House during the 113th through 118th Congresses was 138 days.
The longest vacancy in the U.S. Senate during the 113th through 118th Congresses was in New Jersey, occurring when Sen. Bob Menendez resigned on Aug. 20, 2024.
Following Sen. Bob Menendez's resignation, the New Jersey Senate seat was vacant for 20 days.
The longest vacancy in the U.S. House during the 113th through 118th Congresses was in Michigan's 13th Congressional District, occurring when Rep. John Conyers, Jr. resigned on Dec. 5, 2017.
Following Rep. John Conyers, Jr.'s resignation, the Michigan 13th District seat was vacant for 359 days.
Rep. Aisha Wahab was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives on September 2, 2026, filling the vacancy of former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April 2026 amid allegations of sexual assault and harassment.
Aisha Wahab was sworn in on Wednesday, September 2, 2026, as the first Afghan American to serve in Congress, replacing former Rep. Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April 2026 amid allegations of sexual misconduct from multiple women.
Aisha Wahab was sworn in on September 2, 2026, as the first Afghan American to serve in Congress, taking over the seat vacated by former Rep. Eric Swalwell.
Congressional District is congressional district for the United States House of Representatives.

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