Aisha Wahab

Aisha Wahab (born January 11, 1987) is an American politician who has served since 2026 as the U.S. representative from California's 14th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, Wahab served from 2022 to 2026 as a member of the California State Senate from the 10th district and from 2018 to 2022 on the Hayward City Council. She is among the first Afghan Americans elected to public office in the United States, the first Muslim and Afghan American elected to the California State Senate, and the first Afghan American elected to Congress. Born to Afghan refugees in New York City, Wahab was raised in Fremont, California, and has a doctorate in social work from the University of Southern California. She worked in nonprofit organizations and consulting before entering politics. She was elected to the Hayward City Council in 2018 and to the California State Senate in 2022. In 2025, Wahab was appointed Senate assistant majority leader. She announced her candidacy for Congress in California's 14th congressional district in 2026. Wahab also ran in a special election from the same district to complete the term of Eric Swalwell, who resigned in April after facing allegations of sexual misconduct. Wahab won a plurality in the first round, and defeated Democrat Melissa Hernandez in the runoff on August 18. Wahab and Hernandez will face off again in the general election for a full two-year term.