Hayward, California - California state Senator Dr. Aisha Wahab is heading to Congress after winning her special election to replace disgraced ex-Representative Eric Swalwell.

The Associated Press called the race to represent California's 14th congressional district for Wahab on Thursday, showing her with 53.1% of the vote over former Dublin Mayor Melissa Hernandez at 46.9%.

Tuesday's election was a runoff after Wahab and Hernandez came top two in the June 16 special primary to finish out the remainder of Swalwell's term. The former representative resigned from Congress – and also ditched his bid for California governor – in April amid a series of sexual assault allegations.

Wahab will now become the first Afghan American to serve in Congress – and it won't be her first time breaking barriers. In 2018, she became the first Afghan-American woman elected to public office in the US as a member of the Hayward City Council and later as mayor pro tempore. Four years later, she became the first Afghan American elected to the California state legislature.

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The Democratic representative-elect triumphed this week despite a massive wave of pro-Israel spending in favor of her opponent, also a Democrat. AIPAC-aligned groups dumped more than $4 million into the race after Wahab won the primary by 26 points.

Wahab stated on the campaign trail that she considers Israel's US-backed assault on Gaza to constitute genocide, while Hernandez said she supports Israel's "right to defend itself" while adding that the "destruction in Gaza has gone too far."

"This victory belongs to the voters who made clear that our district cannot be bought," Wahab posted on Instagram on Thursday. "Through one of the ugliest, most expensive elections we've ever seen, we never took the bait or went negative. We stayed focused on the people, and I will fight for this district that raised me."

"From foster care to Congress, this journey shows the possibility of the American Dream. Today this district made history by electing the first Afghan American to Congress."

Both Wahab and Hernandez will be on the ballot in November for a full, two-year term in the seat, to start in January 2027.