WEBDESK - NAYADAUR
US Sen. Bernie Sanders rallied with Congresswoman Aisha Wahab in Northern California on Sunday, stepping into the closely watched East Bay congressional race as Democrats prepare for the November midterm elections.
Sanders appeared alongside Wahab and Democratic Rep. Pramila Jayapal at an event in Hayward that combined a rally with a community canvass. The event was organized to support Wahab’s campaign as she seeks a full term representing California’s 14th Congressional District.
The rally came less than a month before the Nov. 3 general election, when Wahab will face Democrat Melissa Hernandez in a rematch for the seat.
Wahab, a former California state senator, won a special election in August to complete the remainder of former Rep. Eric Swalwell’s term. She defeated Hernandez with about 53% of the vote and became the first Afghan American elected to Congress. The two Democrats are now competing again for a full term beginning in January.
Sanders has been an early and prominent supporter of Wahab. His official endorsement list identifies her as his endorsed candidate for California’s 14th Congressional District, while Wahab’s campaign also lists Sanders among her elected-leader endorsers.
The Vermont independent has increasingly become an active campaign presence for progressive candidates across the country ahead of the 2026 midterms. His California appearances have included support for congressional candidates and Proposition 40, a ballot measure proposing a tax on billionaires.
For Wahab, Sanders’ support adds national visibility to a race that has already attracted substantial political and financial attention.
Her August special-election campaign drew millions of dollars in outside spending, including spending by groups backing Hernandez and opposing Wahab. Despite that spending, Wahab won the special election and entered the November contest as the incumbent.
Wahab has built her campaign around issues including housing affordability, healthcare, jobs, education and the cost of living. Her campaign says she has focused on affordable housing, expanding homeownership, supporting small businesses and protecting funding for healthcare and public education.
The California 14th District includes several East Bay communities, including Hayward, Fremont, Livermore and Pleasanton. The November election will determine who holds the seat for the next full congressional term.
Sanders’ appearance highlights the broader role progressive political figures are playing in competitive House races as both parties seek to mobilize voters ahead of the midterms.