Preliminary results from the U.S. midterm elections show that Aisha Wahab, an Afghan-American Democratic politician, is leading her opponent by a significant margin, having secured 57% of the vote. Wahab is competing to retain her seat in the House of Representatives for California's 14th congressional district.
The 39-year-old first won the seat in a special election in August 2026. She had previously made history by becoming the first Muslim and Afghan-American woman elected to the California State Senate.
Wahab's political career has largely focused on issues such as affordable housing and government transparency. In her current campaign, she has prioritized addressing the healthcare system and tackling the high cost of living.
Her success contrasts with the performance of another Afghan-American candidate in the elections. Elaheh Ahrar, running as an independent for the House in Virginia's 7th district, has garnered only a small fraction of the vote. With just 0.94% (equivalent to 3,020 votes), Ahrar is currently in fourth place.
In that Virginia district, the Democratic candidate, Eugene Vindman, is leading with approximately 60% of the vote, with the Republican candidate in second. The results from these two races highlight the diverse experiences of Afghan-American candidates in the complex U.S. political landscape.
Aisha Wahab's decisive lead as a young Afghan-American woman in one of the most competitive states in the U.S. is considered a significant achievement for the Afghan diaspora. Her success could inspire a new generation of political activists within the community.
Source: U.S. election results
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