AIPAC's Big Test: The Afghan Candidate and the Anti-Israel Drift in Congress
After anti-Israel opponents achieved a series of victories in recent races despite massive spending by the pro-Israel lobby, the battle reaches California. If Aisha Wahab defeats the AIPAC-backed Melissa Hernandez, it will signal that lobby money is losing its efficacy. Some observers are already pessimistic: "The genocide lobby in Congress will continue to grow."
For several weeks, residents of the San Francisco Bay Area have been flooded with election ads warning against the state senator who allegedly goes easy on fentanyl dealers and those who solicit minors for prostitution. The force behind this four-million-dollar campaign is not a concerned parents' group, but the pro-Israel lobby AIPAC. The goal is to thwart the candidacy of Aisha Wahab, who competes today (Tuesday) in a decisive special election for a seat in the US Congress.
While the attack ads against Wahab do not mention "Israel," it is clear the target was chosen due to her political positions. Jewish leaders have offered mixed views; Ty Gregory, director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC) in San Francisco, noted, "She is not anti-Zionist and she is not Rashida Tlaib or Ilhan Omar." Nevertheless, AIPAC remains wary of the prospect of the first Afghan-American serving in the House of Representatives.
Today's vote is the final round of a special election to fill the seat vacated by Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell. The winner will serve until January, with a race for a full two-year term following in November.
Pointless Wars and Party Factions
Democratic leadership, including Nancy Pelosi and Hakeem Jeffries, attempted to unite the party behind former legislator Bob Wieckowski to avoid a costly race, but Wahab refused to step aside. She enters the current round as the frontrunner, having secured 43% of the vote in June compared to Melissa Hernandez's 17%.
Hernandez, a 51-year-old veteran politician, is backed by police and fire unions and enjoys significant financial support from AIPAC. While Hernandez prioritizes small businesses and fiscal discipline, Wahab has campaigned on ending US involvement in "pointless wars" that she argues drain taxpayer resources.
Stance on Israel and Gaza
Although foreign policy was not initially central, Wahab explicitly labeled the situation in Gaza a "genocide" during an April debate and pledged to support ending US military aid to Israel. However, her legislative record is complex; she co-sponsored a resolution calling for a ceasefire that explicitly condemned Hamas and demanded the release of all hostages.
The liberal-Zionist organization J Street has launched a campaign to support Wahab, urging voters to reject "AIPAC's Republican lies." This battle follows AIPAC's recent failure in Michigan to prevent the victory of progressive candidate Abdul El-Sayed.
Wahab's biography shapes her image as a fighter: born to Afghan refugees, she lost her parents early and grew up in the foster care system. Her political career has been defined by advocacy for social welfare and controversial initiatives, such as a bill to ban caste discrimination. Today's election will serve as a key indicator of whether the lobby's financial influence can hold its ground amidst increasing polarization within the Democratic Party.
