Jewish Telegraphic Agency
California progressive defeats AIPAC-backed candidate
Hernandez lost the special runoff to Wahab and is set to face her again in November.
ElectionsINFORMATIONAL
CANDIDATE · U.S. HOUSE · CALIFORNIA · 14TH DISTRICT · DEMOCRATCANDIDATE · CA-14 · DEM
Melissa Hernandez
Melissa Hernandez is a Democratic candidate for California’s 14th district in the November 3, 2026 election, against Rep. Aisha Wahab (D).
According to the campaign website, Hernandez managed small businesses in the dental and health sectors before public service and served as mayor of Dublin and on the BART Board of Directors.
According to the campaign website, Hernandez earned a degree in political science, public affairs and administration from California State University, East Bay while working. Before entering public service, Hernandez managed small businesses in the dental and health sectors. Hernandez served as mayor of Dublin, sat on the BART Board of Directors and chaired Valley Link. Hernandez’s roles also include Director of Healthcare Services for Alameda County Supervisor David Haubert.Source: Campaign website
- Running for
- U.S. House · CA-14
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Stage
- General
- Raised
- $2.0M
- RAISED
- $2.0M
- STAGE
- GENERAL
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Melissa Hernandez at a glance
NET READER RATING
▼ 4 PTS IN 30 DAYS+6
▲ 19 GOOD LOOK36 VOTES17 BAD LOOK ▼
COVERAGE MIX · 11 STORIES
Click a row to open that column below.SENTIMENT BY TOPIC
NETLATEST ACTIVITY
NEWSCalifornia progressive defeats AIPAC-backed candidate Jewish Telegraphic Agency · Aug 22STATED POSITIONS
2026 CA U.S. House district 14 general election · 2026-11-03 · No sourced statements are available for this campaign yet.
2026 election: California’s 14th District
NEXT ELECTION · CA-14
29DAYS
Tuesday, November 3, 2026
LAST D+35.5ON THE BALLOT
IN THIS RACE · 2026
Aisha WahabDEMIncumbent · $874K raised
PAST RESULTS
No earlier House or Senate results on record (ChamberLight’s results start in 2018).2026 CA-14 HOUSE RACE →STATED POSITIONS
2026 CA U.S. House district 14 general election · 2026-11-03 · No sourced statements are available for this campaign yet.
Melissa Hernandez’s stated positions and sources
Stated positions for the campaign named below. Each summary keeps the conditions in the cited statement.
An unknown topic does not mean support, opposition, or indifference. An office statement describes what the candidate said in office; it is not automatically a campaign pledge.
How we research and check stated positions2026 CA U.S. House district 14 general election · 2026-11-03
Economy
Research is not yet complete.
Healthcare
Research is not yet complete.
Immigration
Research is not yet complete.
Education
Research is not yet complete.
Defense
Research is not yet complete.
Climate
Research is not yet complete.
Gun Policy
Research is not yet complete.
Abortion
Research is not yet complete.
Housing
Research is not yet complete.
Taxes
Research is not yet complete.
Voting Rights
Research is not yet complete.
Crime
Research is not yet complete.
Foreign Policy
Research is not yet complete.
Energy
Research is not yet complete.
Other
Research is not yet complete.
Melissa Hernandez’s campaign fundraising and spending
- RAISED · 2025–26 CYCLE
- $2.0M
- CASH ON HAND
- $81K
- SPENT
- $1.9M
- DEBT
- $4K
WHERE THE MONEY CAME FROM
- Individuals
- $1.9M · 94.4%
- PACs
- $111K · 5.6%
AIPAC · 2025–26
AIPAC TRACKER →HOW WE COUNT →- THROUGH AIPAC PAC
- —
AIPAC-BACKED SUPER PAC (UNITED DEMOCRACY PROJECT)
- SUPPORTING
- $825K
- OPPOSING
- —
SUPER PACS UDP FUNDED
AIPAC PAC filings through Aug 31.- Bold America30% of its money from UDP
- SUPPORTING $1.8M
TOP DONORS
Zeff, RonCarmel Partners Management LLC · REAL ESTATE EXECUTIVE$11K
Warmenhoven, DanielNot Employed · NOT EMPLOYED$11K
Warmenhoven, CharmaineNot Employed · NOT EMPLOYED$11K
Korum, JanNot Employed · NOT EMPLOYED$11K
Dubinsky, DonnaNot Employed · NOT EMPLOYED$11K
Zeev, OrenZeev Ventures · INVESTOR$7K
Snyder, MollySelf Employed · CLINICAL SOCIAL WORKER$7K
Snyder, AndrewCambridge Information Group INC · CEO$7K
Meghani, MihirTpmg · PHYSICIAN$7K
Libitzky, MosesLibitzky Property Companies · CHAIR$7K
Totals by donor name from itemized FEC receipts: individuals and committees that gave over $200.OUTSIDE SPENDING
- SUPPORTING
- $3.9M
- OPPOSING
- $405K
Bold America$1.8M / $0
United Democracy Project ('UDP')$825K / $0
Project 218$500K / $0
Sd 2026$399K / $0
American Priorities (Ap)$0 / $210K
CAMPAIGN SPENDING
Advertising$817K
Other$772K
Fundraising$167K
Administrative$60K
Events$10K
How to contact Melissa Hernandez
ONLINE
Campaignmelissahernandez2026.com
No stories in this column yet.
Winnipeg Free Press
California lawmaker Aisha Wahab wins special election to succeed Eric Swalwell in Congress
Hernandez lost the special election to Wahab and is set to face her again for the next full term.
ElectionsINFORMATIONAL
J.
In tight East Bay race, latest test of AIPAC's influence
Hernandez trailed Wahab narrowly as outside groups spent heavily to support her and oppose her opponent.
ElectionsINFORMATIONAL
Fox News
Aisha Wahab vs. Melissa Hernandez race for Swalwell's seat undecided
Hernandez is described as taking a moderate approach on immigration and supporting border security and regional cooperation.
Elections55%
WDIV
The Latest: Alaska, Florida and Wyoming hold primaries as California voters pick Swalwell successor
Hernandez is competing with Aisha Wahab to serve the remainder of Eric Swalwell’s term and for the next full term.
ElectionsINFORMATIONAL
No stories in this column yet.
Jewish Telegraphic Agency · 5 MIN READ
California progressive defeats AIPAC-backed candidate
Hernandez lost the special runoff to Wahab and is set to face her again in November.
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