California Democrats are scrambling to fill the state’s 14th Congressional District after disgraced Eric Swalwell — combating off accusations of rape and sexual assault from a number of ladies — resigned from Congress Tuesday.
Virtually instantly after his resignation, Gov. Gavin Newsom ordered a particular election for Aug. 18 to interchange the married former congressman, whose political profession got here crashing down from the allegations which have additionally torpedoed Swalwell’s run for governor.
His resignation was too late for the June 2 major, that means the winner of the particular election can have a brief stint that expires in 2027.
Not less than 4 main candidates had been already campaigning for the district, given Swalwell was trying to depart congress anyway for the governor’s seat. Now, these candidates should compete in June and August for each the stint and the complete time period afterward.
Whoever wins the particular election, nonetheless, may have the benefit of incumbency for the final election.
Listed here are the 4 prime contenders to interchange Swalwell in Congress:
State Sen. Aisha Washab
Aisha Washab presently serves within the California Senate. In response to her biography, she grew up in foster care after each dad and mom died. Her adopted household confronted financial hardship however she labored full-time at school to ultimately graduate with a doctorate from the College of Southern California.
She labored numerous years within the info expertise house, in accordance with her LinkedIn, whereas changing into mayor professional tempore and metropolis council member for the town of Hayward from 2018 to 2022.
Since 2022, as state senator, she’s chaired a number of committees on the statehouse. Wahab positions herself on the left as a disrupter towards “highly effective curiosity teams” and has expressed skepticism for the pro-housing building “Sure In My Yard” motion.
Considered one of her extra controversial legislative efforts: a invoice to ban caste-based discrimination in California, which critics alleged would goal Hindus and Indian People.
Former Mayor Melissa Hernandez
Melissa Hernandez was the mayor of Dublin from 2020 to 2024 and is a board director on the Bay Space Fast Transit. She additionally serves as a prime Alameda County legislative aide overseeing well being and human providers.
A Democrat, she vowed to “present up day-after-day able to work on the large points, just like the rising prices of residing, together with housing, childcare and healthcare.”
Throughout her mayoral tenure, she centered on bringing companies and housing into the town and rising entry to public transportation.
Matt Ortega
Matt Ortega, a Democrat, grew up in Hayward and now lives in San Leandro together with his household. He instantly obtained into politics after graduating in 2006 from the College of Arizona, becoming a member of the Defenders of Wildlife Motion Fund’s impartial expenditure marketing campaign towards Republican Rep. Richard Pombo.
He later labored for the Democratic Nationwide Committee and served within the social gathering’s “Web Division” to assist elect Barack Obama to the presidency in 2008. He later served as digital director for a clear vitality and local weather coalition after which left to affix a agency.
His priorities, he advised the East Bay Occasions, are housing, well being care, meals safety and taxing the rich. His marketing campaign web site positions him as an anti-Trump candidate.
Metropolis Council Member Victor Aguilar
Victor Aguilar serves on the San Leandro metropolis council and has lived within the metropolis together with his husband since 2011. He beforehand labored for Los Angeles Metropolis Council Member Richard Alatorre.
Aguilar has in depth expertise serving on the boards of organizations such because the San Leandro Unified Faculty District Board and the Alameda County Mosquito Abatement District. He’s affiliated with the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee.
In response to his web site, he needs to manage synthetic intelligence and fund common well being care. Along with creating jobs, he additionally needs to prioritize efforts to cease immigrants from being deported.
